Editing Ariane 5 (section)

=== VA241 anomaly ===
{{main|Ariane 5 flight VA241}}

On 25 January 2018, an Ariane 5ECA launched [[SES-14]] and [[Al Yah Satellite Communications|Al Yah 3]] satellites. About 9 minutes and 28 seconds after launch, a telemetry loss occurred between the launch vehicle and the ground controllers. It was later confirmed, about 1 hour and 20 minutes after launch, that both satellites were successfully separated from the upper stage and were in contact with their respective ground controllers,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/25/va-241-mission-status-center/|title=Live coverage: Ariane 5 launches with SES 14 and Al Yah 3 telecom satellites |author=Stephen Clark|publisher=Spaceflight Now|date=2 January 2018|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126004614/https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/01/25/va-241-mission-status-center/|archive-date=26 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> but that their orbital inclinations were incorrect as the guidance systems might have been compromised. Therefore, both satellites conducted orbital procedures, extending commissioning time.<ref name="va241-yahoo">{{cite news|title=Ariane 5 satellites in orbit but not in right location|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ariane-5-satellites-orbit-not-location-031339516.html|access-date=26 January 2018|publisher=Yahoo! News|agency=AFP News|date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126042057/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ariane-5-satellites-orbit-not-location-031339516.html|archive-date=26 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> SES-14 needed about 8 weeks longer than planned commissioning time, meaning that entry into service was reported early September instead of July.<ref>{{cite web|title=SES-14 Goes Operational to Serve the Americas|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-14-goes-operational-serve-americas|access-date=26 September 2018 |publisher=SES|date=4 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904230118/https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-14-goes-operational-serve-americas|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, SES-14 is still expected to be able to meet the designed lifetime. This satellite was originally to be launched with more propellant reserve on a [[Falcon 9]] launch vehicle since the Falcon 9, in this specific case, was intended to deploy this satellite into a high inclination orbit that would require more work from the satellite to reach its final geostationary orbit.<ref>{{cite news|title=SES Swaps SES-12 and SES-14 Launches|url=https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-swaps-ses-12-and-ses-14-launches|access-date=17 February 2018|publisher=SES|date=28 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201030540/https://www.ses.com/press-release/ses-swaps-ses-12-and-ses-14-launches|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Al Yah 3 was also confirmed healthy after more than 12 hours without further statement, and like SES-14, Al Yah 3's maneuvering plan was also revised to still fulfill the original mission.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yahsat confirms launch of Al Yah 3 mission Satellite to greatly increase its global coverage|url=http://www.journeyofpride.com/yahsat-confirms-launch-of-al-yah-3-mission-satellite-to-greatly-increase-its-global-coverage/ |website=journeyofpride.com|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127093940/http://www.journeyofpride.com/yahsat-confirms-launch-of-al-yah-3-mission-satellite-to-greatly-increase-its-global-coverage/|archive-date=27 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 16 February 2018, Al Yah 3 was approaching the intended geostationary orbit, after series of recovery maneuvers had been performed.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McDowell|first1=Jonathan|title=The Al Yah 3 satellite put in the wrong orbit by the last Ariane launch is now approaching GEO; current orbit 22.5 hr period, 20828 x 47262 km x 6.2°|url=https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/964284086503247872|access-date=17 February 2018|work=@planet4589|date=16 February 2018}}</ref> The investigation showed that invalid inertial units' azimuth value had sent the vehicle 17° off course but to the intended altitude, they had been programmed for the standard geostationary transfer orbit of 90° when the payloads were intended to be 70° for this supersynchronous transfer orbit mission, 20° off norme.<ref name="arianespace.com">{{cite web|title=Independent Enquiry Commission announces conclusions concerning the launcher trajectory deviation during Flight VA241|url=http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/independent-enquiry-commission-announces-conclusions-concerning-the-launcher-trajectory-deviation-during-flight-va241/|publisher=Arianespace|access-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223182356/http://www.arianespace.com/press-release/independent-enquiry-commission-announces-conclusions-concerning-the-launcher-trajectory-deviation-during-flight-va241/|archive-date=23 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> This mission anomaly marked the end of 82nd consecutive success streak since 2003.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Neiberlien |first1=Henry|title=After 16 years, Ariane 5 finally fails|url=http://theavion.com/after-16-years-ariane-5-finally-fails/|access-date=30 January 2018|publisher=The Avion|date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130204259/http://theavion.com/after-16-years-ariane-5-finally-fails/|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>