Europe bids farewell to Ariane 5 rocket with final launch after delays

Europe's Ariane 5 rocket, the workhorse of the European Space Agency (ESA), is set to launch for the final time on July 5. The rocket, which has been delayed due to bad weather and technical issues, will carry two satellites to geostationary transfer orbit. One satellite will research new communications technologies, while the other will provide permanent connectivity for the French Armed Forces. The Ariane 5 has been in service since 1996 and has launched 116 times. Arianespace is developing the Ariane 6 rocket to replace it, with a planned debut in late 2023.