ARIANESPACE

Ariane 42L | Satmex 5

SUCCESSDec 6, 1998 at 00:43 UTCAriane 42L
PADAriane Launch Area 2
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →
ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications

SATMEX 5 is a Hughes HS-601HP or “high power” version of the body-stabilized spacecraft. It features more than 7,000 Watts of payload power, at least 10 times the capacity of Morelos II. Through such innovations as dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells, radiation-cooled traveling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), advanced battery technology, and a xenon ion propulsion system, XIPS, the HS-601HP can carry payloads twice as powerful as those on the HS 601 models, with an expected 15-year mission lifetime.

VEHICLE
Ariane 42L
MISSION
Satmex 5
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Ariane Launch Area 2
COUNTRY
FRA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 3a6354fb-f52a-49ea-99e0-1dfc3ba2cc20
Reported date: Dec 6, 1998 at 00:43 UTC
Last synced: 6 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
Loading weather…
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
MANUFACTURER
Aérospatiale
VARIANT
42L
FLIGHTS
13
SUCCESSES
13
SUCCESS RATE
100%

The Ariane 4 was an expendable space launch system, developed by the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, for the European Space Agency (ESA). It was manufactured by ArianeGroup and marketed by Arianespace. Since its first flight on 15 June 1988 until the final flight on 15 February 2003, it attained 113 successful launches out of 116 total launches.

When is the Ariane 42L | Satmex 5 launch?
The Ariane 42L | Satmex 5 is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 1998 at 12:43 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Satmex 5?
The Ariane 42L | Satmex 5 mission uses the Ariane 42L rocket, manufactured by Aérospatiale. The Ariane 42L has flown 13 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 42L | Satmex 5 launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 2 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Satmex 5 going to?
The Satmex 5 mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching Satmex 5?
The Ariane 42L | Satmex 5 is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 42L | Satmex 5 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 6, 1998 at 00:43 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 6 hours ago
Launch Library 26 hours ago
Launch ID: 3a6354fb-f52a-49ea-99e0-1dfc3ba2cc20
Open-Meteo Weather6 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.23, -52.78

Mission Profile

Satmex 5 was a Ariane 42L mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 2, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on December 6, 1998. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.