Arianespace

Arianespace is a European launch-services company that markets and operates expendable rockets to place satellites and other payloads into orbit.

Ariane 6: A European expendable launch vehicle developed by ArianeGroup for commercial and institutional missions. Arianespace operates Ariane 6 for launches following the retirement of Ariane 5.
ArianeGroup: A European aerospace company that develops and manufactures launch vehicles, including the Ariane family. ArianeGroup builds Ariane rockets that Arianespace markets and operates.
European Space Agency: An intergovernmental organization that coordinates European space research and programs. ESA's Ariane development program created the launcher family that Arianespace was established to commercialize.
SpaceX: An American aerospace company that manufactures launch vehicles and provides space transportation services. SpaceX competes with Arianespace for commercial satellite launches, often using partially reusable rockets.
Ariane 5: A European heavy-lift expendable launch vehicle that flew from 1996 to 2023. Arianespace used Ariane 5 for decades to launch large satellites and scientific spacecraft.
Guiana Space Centre: A spaceport in French Guiana used for European launch vehicle operations. It is Arianespace's principal launch site, with geography suited to equatorial launches.
Ariane programme: The European program to develop and operate the Ariane family of launch vehicles. Arianespace emerged to provide a commercial operator for the program's launchers.
United Launch Alliance: An American launch services provider formed by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. ULA is a comparable provider focused largely on US government and commercial missions.
Vega-C: A European small-lift expendable launch vehicle designed to carry payloads to low Earth orbit and other destinations. It extends Arianespace's launch offerings to smaller payloads than Ariane 6 typically serves.
Satellite integration facility: A specialized building where payloads are prepared and attached to a launch vehicle. Payload integration at the Guiana Space Centre links a customer's spacecraft to its assigned rocket.

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