ArianespaceAriane 5 GAriane Launch Area 3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Cluster
Launched
June 4, 1996
Image: ESA/CNES/Arianespace
Summary
Cluster launched on an Arianespace Ariane 5 G from Ariane Launch Area 3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on June 4, 1996. The mission failed: A software error led to integer overflow, causing the rocket to veer off its flight path 37 seconds after launch. This caused the vehicle to disintegrate under high aerodynamic forces, eventually self-destructing due to its flight termination system. It was Arianespace's 86th launch, 6th this year and humanity's 4,078th orbital launch attempt. It was the 1st Ariane 5 G flight. The payload was bound for High Earth Orbit (HEO).
- Result
- A software error led to integer overflow, causing the rocket to veer off its flight path 37 seconds after launch. This caused the vehicle to disintegrate under high aerodynamic forces, eventually self-destructing due to its flight termination system.
- Watch
- Longer video of 'Ariane 5' Rocket first launch failure/explosionJeiceTheWarrior
- Ariane 5 rocket launch explosionAmazing Info TV
- Vehicle
- Ariane 5 G · Arianespace
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Earth Science · High Earth Orbit (HEO)
- Milestone
- 1st Ariane 5 G flightArianespace's 86th launch6th this yearhumanity's 4,078th orbital launch attempt37th orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
About this launch
A constellation of four ESA spacecraft. These were intended to fly in a tetrahedral formation, and was inteded to conduct research into the Earth's magnetosphere.
Pad
Ariane Launch Area 3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
1st launch from Ariane Launch Area 3, 1st this year · 96th from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
118 launches from this pad · 336 from Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
under an hour after the previous launch from this pad
All launches from Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaOpen in maps
Questions
When did Cluster launch?
Cluster launched on June 4, 1996. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Why did Cluster fail?
A software error led to integer overflow, causing the rocket to veer off its flight path 37 seconds after launch. This caused the vehicle to disintegrate under high aerodynamic forces, eventually self-destructing due to its flight termination system.
Where can I watch Cluster?
Coverage: Longer video of 'Ariane 5' Rocket first launch failure/explosion; Ariane 5 rocket launch explosion. Watch the replay
What rocket launched Cluster?
Ariane 5 G, flown by Arianespace. Ariane 5 G spec sheet
Where did Cluster launch from?
Ariane Launch Area 3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit was Cluster going to?
High Earth Orbit (HEO), a earth science mission.