Ariane 4

Ariane 4
The 52nd Ariane 4 carrying the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite.
FunctionExpendable launch vehicle
ManufacturerArianeGroup
Country of originEurope
Size
Height58.72 m (192.7 ft)
Diameter3.8 m (12 ft)
Mass240,000–470,000 kg (530,000–1,040,000 lb)
Stages3[1]
Capacity
Payload to LEO[altitude and inclination needed]
Mass5,000–7,600 kg (11,000–16,800 lb)
Payload to GTO
Mass2,000–4,300 kg (4,400–9,500 lb)
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesKourou, ELA-2
Total launches116
(40: 7, 42P: 15, 42L: 13)
(44P: 15, 44LP: 26, 44L: 40)
Success(es)113
(40: 7, 42P: 14, 42L: 13)
(44P: 15, 44LP: 25, 44L: 39)
Failure(s)3 (42P: 1, 44L: 1, 44LP: 1)
First flight
  • 40: 22 January 1990
  • 42P: 20 November 1990
  • 42L: 12 May 1993
  • 44P: 4 April 1991
  • 44LP: 15 June 1988
  • 44L: 5 June 1989
Last flight
  • 40: 3 December 1999
  • 42P: 4 May 2002
  • 42L: 23 January 2002
  • 44P: 25 September 2001
  • 44LP: 27 November 2001
  • 44L: 15 February 2003
Boosters (Ariane 42L, 44LP or 44L) – PAL
No. boosters0, 2 or 4
Powered byViking 6
Maximum thrust752.003 kN (169,057 lbf)
Specific impulse278 seconds
Burn time142 seconds
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH
Boosters (Ariane 42P, 44LP or 44P) – PAP
No. boosters0, 2 or 4
Maximum thrust650 kN (150,000 lbf)
Burn time33 seconds
PropellantCTPB 1613
First stage – L220
Powered by4 Viking 5C
Maximum thrust3,034.1 kN (682,100 lbf)
Specific impulse278 seconds
Burn time205 seconds
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH
Second stage – L33
Powered by1 Viking 4B
Maximum thrust720.965 kN (162,079 lbf)
Specific impulse296 seconds
Burn time132 seconds
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH
Third stage – H10
Powered by1 HM7-B
Maximum thrust62.703 kN (14,096 lbf)
Specific impulse446 seconds
Burn time759 seconds
PropellantLH2 / LOX

The Ariane 4 was a European expendable launch vehicle, developed by the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, for the European Space Agency (ESA). It was manufactured by ArianeGroup and marketed by Arianespace. Since its first flight on 15 June 1988 until the final flight on 15 February 2003, it attained 113 successful launches out of 116 total launches.

In 1982, the Ariane 4 program was approved by ESA. Drawing heavily upon the preceding Ariane 3, it was designed to provide a launcher capable of delivering heavier payloads and at a lower cost per kilogram than the earlier members of the Ariane family. The Ariane 4 was principally an evolution of the existing technologies used, as opposed to being revolutionary in its design ethos; this approach quickly gained the backing of most ESA members, who funded and participated in its development and operation. Capable of being equipped with a wide variety of strap-on boosters, the Ariane 4 gained a reputation for being an extremely versatile launcher.

Once in service, the launcher soon became recognized for being ideal for launching communications and Earth observation satellites, as well as those used for scientific research. During its working life, the Ariane 4 managed to capture 50% of the market in launching commercial satellites, soundly demonstrating Europe's ability to compete in the commercial launch sector.[2] In February 2003, the final Ariane 4 was launched; Arianespace had decided to retire the type in favour of the newer and larger Ariane 5, which effectively replaced it in service.

  1. ^ Wade, Mark (ed.). "Ariane 4". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Ariane 4". European Space Agency. 14 May 2004. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2015.

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