| | Ariane 5 Encyclopedia Article @ LaunchBase.org (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-08) |
 | | The Ariane 5G uses the EPS (Étage à Propergols Stockables/Storable Propellant Stage), which is fueled by monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide, where the Ariane 5 ECA uses the ESC (Étage Supérieur Cryotechnique/Cryogenic Upper Stage), which is fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. |
 | | The second stage was previously used as the third stage of Ariane 4; in ECA use, the tanks are modified to shorten stage length. |
 | | Ariane 5's first test flight (Ariane 5 Flight 501) on 4 June 1996 failed, with the rocket self-destructing 37 seconds after launch because of a malfunction in the control software, which was arguably one of the most expensive computer bugs in history. |
| www.launchbase.org /encyclopedia/Ariane_5 (1695 words) |