1996 · Arianespace
Cluster
failureAriane 5 G | Cluster
A constellation of four ESA spacecraft. These were intended to fly in a tetrahedral formation, and was inteded to conduct research into the Earth's magnetosphere.
Overview
- Date / time
- June 4, 1996 at 12:34 PM UTC
- Outcome
- failure
- Launch site
- Ariane Launch Area 3
- Mission
- Cluster
- Mission type
- Earth Science
- Orbit achieved
- High Earth Orbit
FailureA software error led to integer overflow, causing the rocket to veer off its flight path 37 seconds after launch. This caused the vehicle to disintegrate under high aerodynamic forces, eventually self-destructing due to its flight termination system.