re: Ariane 5 - Nothing Special
The Space Shuttle was a revolutionary step, many mistakes were made and much was learned. It has greatly advanced the field of engineering, built a space station and launched numerous missions of huge scientific importance.
The Ariane 5 is just more of the same and nothing really special about it. There are several launchers like it in the world. The ability to launch large communication satellites into GEO has been around for 40 years. There is little new technology in it.
How many people fly around the world to see a shuttle launch? How many fly around the world to see an Ariane 5 launch?