PIX4603780: Atmospheric Re - entry Demonstrator (ARD) - Artist's view of the rent in the terrestrial atmosphere of the ARD capsule (Atmospheric Re - entry Demonstrator). Launch into space by an Ariane 5 rocket in October 1998, this capsule was used by Europeans to successfully test the atmosphere and landing parameters for future space flights. The Atmospheric Re - entry Demonstrator (ARD) was released by an Ariane 5 on 21 October 1998. Engineers analysing data from its sub - orbital flight reported that all the capsule's systems had performed well and according to expectations. ARD reached an altitude of 830 km and splashed down to within 4.9 km of its target point in the Pacific Ocean between the Marquises and Hawaii after one hour and 41 minutes. Although not strictly a prototype of a possible future European Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV), which could fly to and from the International Space Station, ARD is a major step towards providing greater confidence in Europe's capabilities in reentry technologies for use not only in the frame of crew and equipment transport but also for future re - usable launchers / Bridgeman Images
PIX4604195: Fusee Ariane 5 ECA - 11/2005 - Ariane 5 ECA, V164 is ready for liftoff - 11/2005 - Fusee Ariane V ECA on its fire pad with two satellites: Spaceway 2, an American communication satellite and Telkom 2, an Indonesian communication satellite. Vol 167, 16 November 2005. The third Ariane 5 ECA launcher is readied for lift - off from the Ariane Launch Complex no.3 (ELA - 3) of the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's space port, on November 16, 2005. On this flight (V167), two satellites were lofted to orbit: Spaceway 2, a large direct broadcasting satellite operated by DirecTV Inc. of the United States, and Telkom 2, a communication satellite owned by Indonesia's PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk / Bridgeman Images
PIX4604277: Fusee Ariane 5 ECA - 04/2008 - The Ariane 5 ECA rocket - 04/2008 - Fusee Ariane 5 ECA on its launch pad at the Guyanese Space Center in Kourou. On board, two communications satellites, the Star One C2 satellite and the Vinasat-1 satellite. Flight V182 was launched on April 18, 2008. The Ariane 5 ECA launcher, on its mobile launch table, after its transfer from the Final Assembly Building at the Launch Zone (ZL - 3) of Ariane Launch Complex no.3 (ELA - 3) at the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's Spaceport. The launcher is carrying Star One C2 - a telecommunications, multimedia and Internet satellite that will serve South America - and Vinasat - 1 - Vietnam's first telecommunications satellite. V182 lauch took place on April 18, 2008 / Bridgeman Images
PIX4566814: The amateur observatory SIRENE - France - The amateur observatory SIRENE - France - The amateur observatory SIRENE in Luberon is located on the Albion plateau. A 635 mm telescope (seen here) and various observation instruments are available to the public. The SIRENE amateur observatory in Luberon (Vaucluse - France) is located on the Albion plateau, an ancient military base. It is well preserved from light pollution and welcomes public with different astronomical instruments. Here, the 635 mm refractor / Bridgeman Images