The Arianespace Ariane 5 is a heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to transport satellites into orbit. It was developed by Arianespace, a European company, and first launched in 1996. The rocket is known for its reliability and has successfully completed numerous missions, making it a key player in the commercial space launch market. Ariane 5 can carry payloads of up to 10,500 kilograms to geostationary transfer orbit. It features a two-stage design, with a solid rocket booster and a cryogenic upper stage, allowing it to deliver multiple satellites in a single launch. This capability has made it popular among satellite operators worldwide.