Arianespace Back On Track For Final Ariane 5 Launch

Following the recent identification of three pyrotechnical transmission lines that raised concerns, Arianespace, Europe's leading launch service provider, has made significant progress in ensuring the safety and reliability of the Ariane 5 launcher. The completion of the replacement process for the doubtful transmission lines, along with a comprehensive review of all pyrotechnical lines, has allowed Arianespace to announce the resumption of the launch campaign for VA261.

Originally scheduled for June 16, the new targeted launch date for VA261 is now set for July 4, 2023, with the earliest possible launch time falling within a specific window. The precise launch windows are as follows:

Between 05:30 p.m. and 07:05 p.m. Washington, D.C. time,
Between 06:30 p.m. and 08:05 p.m. Kourou time,
Between 09:30 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. Universal time (UTC),
Between 11:30 p.m. and 01:05 a.m., July 5, Paris time,
Between 06:30 a.m. and 08:05 a.m., July 5, Tokyo time.

Arianespace halted launch preparations on June 15 just prior to rollout due to a "risk to the redundancy of a critical function on the Ariane 5.", which was later confirmed in a brief media briefing to be three pyrotechnic lines.

With the completion of the necessary repairs and the thorough examination of all pyrotechnical lines, Arianespace confirms that the Ariane 5 launch vehicle and its payloads, Heinrich-Hertz-Satellit and SYRACUSE 4B, remain in optimal condition.