Pléiades Neo 5 and 6 are the last two in a constellation of four optical high-resolution Earth observation satellites built and operated by Airbus. It is a dual purpose constellation, serving both civilian and military purposes.
Overview
Date / time
December 21, 2022 at 01:47 AM UTC
Outcome
failure
Launch site
Ariane Launch Area 1 (ELV)
Mission
Pléiades Neo 5 & 6
Mission type
Government/Top Secret
Orbit achieved
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Failure2nd stage Zefiro 40 motor lost chamber pressure from T+151 seconds due to unexpected erosion of carbon-carbon (C-C) material in the motor nozzle's throat insert, caused by the material's flaw in homogeneity.