An improved Ariane 5 solid booster stage (EAP) undergoes static firing on the solid boosted test bench (BEAP) at the Guiana Space Centre, Europe's space port, on May 16, 2000. This firing test, conducted on behalf of the Ariane 5 Research & Technology Accompaniement program (ARTA-5) to demonstrate that qualification, reliability and performance levels of Ariane 5 production elements are maintained.