Ariane 5. Artist's impression of an Ariane 5 rocket high over the Earth after launch. The main body of the rocket is flanked by two large solid rocket boosters, used to add to the thrust of the main liquid-fuelled Vulcain motor. Ariane 5 is the latest in the Ariane range of launch vehicles designed and built in Europe. Like its predecessors, Ariane 5 will be used mainly for satellite launches, although it is capable of carrying a variety of other spacecraft for space exploration. The first launch of an Ariane 5 is set for May 1996.