Ariane 5 Launch Scrubbed Due to Sensor Problem

Arianespace Launch Update

The final countdown for Flight Ariane #253 (VA253) was halted at 2’14’’ before liftoff during a first launch attempt on July 31 due to the unexpected behavior of a sensor inside the liquid hydrogen tank in the launcher’s main cryogenic stage.

Ariane 5 is being transferred back to the Final Assembly Building (BAF), where a spare sensor will be set up and a new flight program uploaded to the launcher. These additional operations, and those that follow, will take several days. In the meantime, the Ariane 5 launch vehicle and its three spacecraft payloads are in stable and safe conditions.

With the schedule being firmed up, a new target launch date will be announced by Monday, August 3.

Arianespace is applying its standard procedures to maintain the highest level of reliability for the benefit of its customers.