# Ariane flight VA259

> space launch

**Wikidata**: [Q132444546](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132444546)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ariane-flight-va259

## Summary
Ariane flight VA259 was an uncrewed space launch conducted by Arianespace on December 13, 2022, using an Ariane 5 rocket. It was part of the European Ariane rocket program and launched from the ELA-3 site. The mission preceded VA260 and followed VA258 in the launch sequence.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: December 13, 2022 at 20:30 UTC
- Operator: Arianespace
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 5
- Launch site: ELA-3
- Instance of: space launch, uncrewed spaceflight, Ariane 5
- Part of series: Ariane
- Follows: Ariane flight VA258
- Followed by: Ariane flight VA260
- Commons category: Ariane 5 flight VA259
- Aliases: VA259

## FAQs
### Q: When was Ariane flight VA259 launched?
A: Ariane flight VA259 was launched on December 13, 2022, at 20:30 UTC.

### Q: Who operated the VA259 launch?
A: The launch was operated by Arianespace as part of the European Ariane program.

### Q: What rocket was used for flight VA259?
A: Flight VA259 used the Ariane 5 launch vehicle, part of the retired Ariane 5 rocket series.

## Why It Matters
Ariane flight VA259 represents one of the final launches in the long-running Ariane 5 program, which played a critical role in Europe's independent access to space. As part of the broader Ariane program managed by the European Space Agency and operated by Arianespace, VA259 contributed to maintaining reliable satellite deployment capabilities for commercial and institutional payloads. Its position near the end of the Ariane 5 era underscores its role in the transition toward next-generation launch systems like Ariane 6. Each launch in this sequence supported global communications infrastructure, Earth observation missions, and scientific endeavors, reinforcing Europe’s competitive presence in the international space launch market.

## Notable For
- Being among the last flights of the Ariane 5 rocket series before retirement
- Launching from the historically significant ELA-3 launch complex at Kourou
- Maintaining the high reliability record of the Ariane 5 program
- Supporting key commercial and government satellite deployments
- Representing a transitional phase toward the Ariane 6 program

## Body
### Mission Overview
Ariane flight VA259 was an uncrewed space launch conducted under the European Ariane program. It utilized the proven Ariane 5 launch vehicle to deliver one or more satellites into orbit. The flight occurred during the final phase of the Ariane 5 operational timeline, shortly before the full retirement of the model.

### Technical Details
The launch took place from the Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 3 (ELA-3) at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. This site has been central to many historic European space missions. The timing of the launch—December 13, 2022, at 20:30 UTC—aligns with standard practices for optimizing orbital insertion conditions based on payload requirements.

### Operational Context
Operated by Arianespace, VA259 followed directly after flight VA258 and preceded VA260, indicating its placement within a tightly scheduled launch cadence designed to maximize efficiency and meet customer demands. As part of the broader Ariane class of rockets, it contributed to the legacy of European self-reliance in space transportation.

### Legacy and Position in Program Timeline
Flight VA259 is notable for occurring during the concluding stages of the Ariane 5 program, which had successfully flown over 100 missions since entering service in 1996. With the conclusion of these operations, focus shifted toward the newer Ariane 6 system, making each late-era launch such as VA259 both operationally important and symbolically significant.

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