The Cluster satellites were a series of sophisticated earth-observation platforms that were to be launched aboard the first Ariane 5. The explosion of the booster led to a costly setback for European space science. There were no back-up spacecraft. Some instruments may fly on other future satellites.

• 1996 June 4 - Cluster F1 - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. FAILURE: Vehicle went off course and was destroyed by range safety. Reuse of flight software from Ariane 4 was the cause (faulty program logic that only took effect on Ariane 5 launch trajectory).
  The Cluster satellites were a series of sophisticated earth-observation platforms that were to be launched aboard the first Ariane 5. The explosion of the booster led to a costly setback for European space science. There were no back-up spacecraft. Some instruments may fly on other future satellites.

• 1996 June 4 - Cluster F2 - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. FAILURE: Vehicle went off course and was destroyed by range safety. Reuse of flight software from Ariane 4 was the cause (faulty program logic that only took effect on Ariane 5 launch trajectory).
  

• 1996 June 4 - Cluster F3 - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. FAILURE: Vehicle went off course and was destroyed by range safety. Reuse of flight software from Ariane 4 was the cause (faulty program logic that only took effect on Ariane 5 launch trajectory).
  

• 1996 June 4 - Cluster F4 - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. FAILURE: Vehicle went off course and was destroyed by range safety. Reuse of flight software from Ariane 4 was the cause (faulty program logic that only took effect on Ariane 5 launch trajectory).