Most powerful commercial rocket launcher

According to Official Guinness Records,

Ariane 5-ESCA, the latest of Arianespace's (France) rockets is the most powerful commercial rocket launcher currently in use. It is capable of placing a 10 tonne payload into geosynchronous orbit (36,000km, 22,000miles). It exploded on its maiden flight on 11 December 2002. It is the latest version of the Ariane 5 rocket, which was first launched on 4 June 1996. It has failed four times in total out of 14 launches.

For a complete list of 2002 records, please visit 2002 Guinness Records in France.

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