Ariane 4
The 52nd Ariane 4 carrying the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite. | |
| Function | Medium-lift launch vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Aérospatiale |
| Country of origin | European multi-national |
| Size | |
| Height | 58.72 m (192.7 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.8 m (12 ft) |
| Mass | 240,000–470,000 kg (530,000–1,040,000 lb) |
| Stages | 3 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Mass | 5,000–7,600 kg (11,000–16,800 lb) |
| Payload to GTO | |
| Mass | 2,000–4,300 kg (4,400–9,500 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Ariane |
| Based on | Ariane 3 |
| Derivative work | Ariane 5 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Guiana, ELA-2 |
| Total launches | 116 (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 | 3 (42P: 1, 44LP: 1, 44L: 1) |
| First flight | 15 June 1988 |
| Last flight | 15 February 2003 |
| Boosters (Ariane 42L, 44LP or 44L) – PAL | |
| No. boosters | 0, 2 or 4 |
| Powered by | Viking 6 |
| Maximum thrust | 752 kN (169,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 278 s (2.73 km/s) |
| Burn time | 142 seconds |
| Propellant | N2O4 / UDMH |
| Boosters (Ariane 42P, 44LP or 44P) – PAP | |
| No. boosters | 0, 2 or 4 |
| Maximum thrust | 650 kN (150,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 33 seconds |
| Propellant | CTPB 1613 |
| First stage – L220 | |
| Powered by | 4 × Viking 5C |
| Maximum thrust | 3,034 kN (682,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 278 s (2.73 km/s) |
| Burn time | 205 seconds |
| Propellant | N2O4 / UDMH |
| Second stage – L33 | |
| Powered by | 1 × Viking 4B |
| Maximum thrust | 721 kN (162,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 296 s (2.90 km/s) |
| Burn time | 132 seconds |
| Propellant | N2O4 / UDMH |
| Third stage – H10 | |
| Powered by | 1 × HM7-B |
| Maximum thrust | 62.7 kN (14,100 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 446 s (4.37 km/s) |
| Burn time | 759 seconds |
| Propellant | LH2 / LOX |
The Ariane 4 (French: [aʁjan katʁ]) was a European expendable launch vehicle in the Ariane family, developed by the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, for the European Space Agency (ESA). The manufacturing of the launch vehicle was led by Aérospatiale and it was 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. 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.