Ariane 200 ATV

SpaceTour Kourou ATV 2011

On the 200th Ariane launch with the European ATV cargo ship "Johannes Kepler" on an Ariane 5 ES were in addition to numerous VIPs from politics and economy, we also visited the European Space Port in Kourou, French Guiana CSG (South America). Once the countdown at the first attempt at t=-4 minutes was stopped, we were on 02/16/2011 compensated with a truly spectacular start - although under tropical rain, but that in the dusk with great flair and beautiful pictures! We thank the Astrium GmbH for the invitation and congratulate all the people on the successful launch of the ATV!

Impressions from the start of "Johannes Kepler"

Our Kourou SpaceTour led in February 2011 at invitation of Astrium directly to the rocket launch. With many guests from all over the world, was the anniversary of the 200th Ariane rocket celebrated and crowned with the launch of the largest and heaviest spacecraft ever. The following is a brief picture of the report.

After 7700km flight the airbus lands in Cayenne:

Nasa came with their own businessjet:

registration for the Agami-observationpoint:

Agami is in the middle of jungle:

distance to the rocket: ~7km

Long lenses and binoculars prove to be beneficial:

jungle in the tradewind...

...the tension rises:

Dusk brings flair - Ariane is illuminated:

before the start the countdown stopps - big disappointment!

2. attempt at next day:

It's raining and there is not to much to see from the ELA3:

improvisation is needed:

But then the rocket lifts off1!

Decollage ATV:

Ariane No. 200 with the heaviest spacecraft ever - 20t ATV2:

The blast shakes the jungle and Ariane pokes through the clouds:

Frozen lightning:

The ELA3 after a successful start - the table is still here:

Impressions of French Guiana

This journey has shown that a missile launch is spectacular - but always uncertain, and in a few minutes is all over. But as the following examples show, French Guiana has to offer so much more!

Fantastically empty beaches: