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ArianeGroup’s heritage reaches back to France’s very first space program (‘Pierres Précieuses’, a series of launchers named after gemstones), and continues with the Ariane success story which, through a process of continuous development over nearly half a century, has put Europe right at the head of the civil launcher market, holding the world’s top position for commercial launches to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Since 1971, ArianeGroup and forerunner companies have also provided key support for the French deterrent force, supplying the strategic missiles of the country’s oceanic component deterrent, playing a critical role in all stages of modernization over the years.

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First Ariane 6 flight

2018

Ariane 5 celebrates its 100th launch

2017

Airbus Safran Launchers becomes ArianeGroup

2016

Nuclear qualification of the Triomphant SSBN and entry into operational service of the M51.2

Ariane 5 surpasses Ariane 4’s record of successful flights with the Galileo mission (VA233)

2016

ESA contract for the development, industrialization and operation of the two Ariane 6 launcher versions

2016

Airbus Safran Launchers becomes a 74% shareholder of Arianespace

2015

Ariane 6 development contract signed with ESA

2014

M51.3 development and manufacturing signed with the French defense procurement agency DGA

2010

Entry into operational service of the M51.1

2006

First successful M51 firing; upgrade to M51.2

2003

Start of an unbroken series of successful Ariane 5 launches

1998

First successful commercial Ariane 5 launch

1985

Entry into service of the M4 (sea-to-ground ballistic missile)

1980

Entry into service of the S3 (ground-to-ground ballistic missile)

1979

Ariane 1 maiden flight

1973

Launch of the Ariane program

1971

Support for the French oceanic deterrent force

1965

Inaugural launch of the Diamant rocket with the first French satellite, Astérix 1

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40 years of launches Ariane legacy 40 years of launches M51: A central part of French deterrence Defense M51: A central part of French deterrence
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