Editing Ariane 5 (section)

== Variants ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Variant
! Description
|-
| align="center" | '''G'''
| The original version was dubbed Ariane 5G (Generic) and had a launch mass of {{cvt|737|t|lb}}. Its payload capability to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) was {{cvt|6900|kg}} for a single satellite or {{cvt|6100|kg}} for dual launches. It flew 16 times with one failure and two partial failures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/ariane-5g.htm|title=Ariane 5G|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=12 December 2017|access-date=23 October 2021}}</ref>

|-
| align="center" | '''G+'''
| The Ariane 5G+ had an improved EPS second stage, with a GTO capacity of {{cvt|7100|kg}} for a single payload or {{cvt|6300|kg}} for two. It flew three times in 2004, with no failures.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/ariane-5g-plus.htm|title=Ariane-5G+|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=12 December 2017|access-date=23 October 2021}}</ref>

|-
| align="center" | '''GS'''
| At the time of the failure of the first Ariane 5ECA flight in 2002, all Ariane 5 launchers in production were ECA versions. Some of the ECA cores were modified to use the original Vulcain engine and tank volumes while the failure was investigated; these vehicles were designated Ariane 5GS. The GS used the improved EAP boosters of the ECA variant and the improved EPS of the G+ variant, but the increased mass of the modified ECA core compared to the G and G+ core resulted in slightly reduced payload capacity.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ariane 5 Evolution|url=http://www.bernd-leitenberger.de/ariane-5-evolution.shtml|access-date=8 November 2014|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025182748/http://www.bernd-leitenberger.de/ariane-5-evolution.shtml|archive-date=25 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Ariane 5GS could carry a single payload of {{cvt|6600|kg}} or a dual payload of {{cvt|5800|kg}} to GTO. The Ariane 5GS flew 6 times from 2005 to 2009 with no failures.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/ariane-5gs.htm|title=Ariane-5GS|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=12 December 2017|access-date=23 October 2021}}</ref>

|-
| align="center" | '''ECA'''
| The Ariane 5ECA (''Evolution Cryotechnique type A''), first successfully flown in 2005, used an improved Vulcain 2 first-stage engine with a longer, more efficient nozzle with a more efficient flow cycle and denser propellant ratio. The new ratio required length modifications to the first-stage tanks. The EPS second stage was replaced by the ESC-A (''Etage Supérieur Cryogénique''-A), which had a dry weight of {{cvt|4540|kg}} and was powered by an [[HM-7B]] engine burning {{cvt|14900|kg}} of cryogenic [[Rocket propellant|propellant]]. The ESC-A used the liquid oxygen tank and lower structure from the Ariane 4's H10 third stage, mated to a new liquid hydrogen tank. Additionally, the EAP booster casings were lightened with new welds and carry more propellant. The Ariane 5ECA started with a GTO launch capacity of {{cvt|9100|kg}} for dual payloads or {{cvt|9600|kg}} for a single payload.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/ariane-5eca.htm|title=Ariane-5ECA|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=20 February 2020|access-date=23 October 2021}}</ref> Later batches: PB+ and PC, increased the max payload to GTO to {{cvt|11115|kg}}.<ref name=final-10/>
|-
| align="center" | '''ECA+'''
|The Ariane 5ECA+ (''Evolution Cryotechnique type A+''), first successfully flown in 2019, used an improved ESC-D (''Etage Supérieur Cryogénique''-D).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krebs |first=Gunter D. |title=Ariane-5ECA+ |url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/ariane-5eca-plus.htm |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Gunter's Space Page |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" | '''ES'''
| The Ariane 5ES (''Evolution Storable'') had an estimated LEO launch capacity of {{cvt|21000|kg}}. It included all the performance improvements of Ariane 5ECA core and boosters but replaced the ESC-A second stage with the restartable EPS used on Ariane 5GS variants. It was used to launch the [[Automated Transfer Vehicle]] (ATV) into a {{cvt|260|km}} circular low Earth orbit inclined at 51.6° and was used 3 times to [[List of Galileo satellites|launch 4 Galileo navigation satellites at a time]] directly into their operational orbit.<ref name=ESAA5ES>{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/ariane-5es.htm|title=Ariane 5ES|publisher=ESA|access-date=27 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903072324/http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/Launch_vehicles/Ariane_5_ES|archive-date=3 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The Ariane 5ES flew 8 times from 2008 to 2018 with no failures.
|- 
| align="center" | '''ME'''<br>(cancelled)
| The Ariane 5ME (''Mid-life Evolution'') was under development until December 2014 when funding was cut in favour of developing [[Ariane 6]]. Last activities for Ariane 5ME were completed at the end of 2015. [[Vinci (rocket engine)|Vinci]] upper stage engine, under development for the 5ME, transferred to Ariane 6.
|}