PADAriane Launch Area 3
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →ORBITHigh Earth Orbit
TYPEEarth Science
MISSION OVERVIEW
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.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Ariane 5 GAGENCY
ArianespaceMISSION
Cluster
MISSION TYPE
Earth Science
TARGET ORBIT
High Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Ariane Launch Area 3LAUNCH SITE
Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaCOUNTRY
FRA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: bf03e206-8c75-459c-8fac-05121f90a442
Reported date: Jun 4, 1996 at 12:34 UTC
Last synced: 8 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Ariane 5 G →
MANUFACTURER
ArianeGroup
VARIANT
G
FLIGHTS
16
SUCCESSES
13
SUCCESS RATE
81.3%
The original version is dubbed Ariane 5 G (Generic) and had a launch mass of 737 tonnes. Its payload capability to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) was 6,900 kg (15,200 lb) for a single satellite or 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) for dual launches. It flew 17 times with one failure and two partial failures.
LAUNCH VIDEOS
ARTICLES & COVERAGE
MORE INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Ariane 5 G | Cluster launch?
The Ariane 5 G | Cluster is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4, 1996 at 12:34 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: FAILURE.
What rocket is being used for Cluster?
The Ariane 5 G | Cluster mission uses the Ariane 5 G rocket, manufactured by ArianeGroup. The Ariane 5 G has flown 16 times with a 81.3% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 5 G | Cluster launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 3 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Cluster going to?
The Cluster mission is targeting High Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Cluster?
The Ariane 5 G | Cluster is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 5 G | Cluster 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.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch date set: Jun 4, 1996 at 12:34 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch failure reported
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 8 minutes ago
●Launch Library 28 minutes ago
Launch ID: bf03e206-8c75-459c-8fac-05121f90a442
●Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 5.24, -52.77
Mission Profile
Cluster was a Ariane 5 G mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on June 4, 1996. The flight carried its payload on a earth science mission to High Earth Orbit. The launch ended in failure.