Comment by Kuinox

Ariane 5 exploded with 4 satellites because they copy pasted code of the Ariane 4: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_flight_V88

It's the most expensive bug in history. On the other hand, you are bringing up explosions of empty rockets that are launched as test, that's bad faith.

Look at the launch history and the Falcon 9 is simply more reliable than the Ariane 5:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon_9#Launch_outcomes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_5#Launch_statistics

I did not said it was a failure, I said, they do not have a "pretty good track record". ESA burn through EU money, and wont care to innovate as long as EU provide them unlimited money and dont pressure them. It's an ivory tower.