Ariane 4

Quick Facts About the Delta 2000.

- Type: Expendable launch system.

- Origin : Europe.

- In service : 40: 22 January 1990 - 3 December 1999. 42P: 20 November 1990 - 4 May 2002. 42L: 12 May 1993 - 23 January 2002. 44P: 4 April 1991 - 25 September 2001. 44LP: 15 June 1988 - 44LP: 27 November 2001. 44L: 5 June 1989 - 15 February 2003.

- Mass : 240,000 kg–470,000 kg (530,000–1,040,000 lb).

- Length/Height : 58.72 m (192.7 ft).

- Diameter : 3.8 m (12 ft).

- Payload to LEO : 5,000–7,600 kg (11,000–16,800 lb).

- Payload to GTO : 2,000–4,300 kg (4,400–9,500 lb).

- Propellant: Boosters: (42L, 44LP or 44L): N2O4 / UDMH. (42P, 44LP or 44P): CTPB 1613 First/Second stage: N2O4 / UDMH. Third stage: LH2 / LOX.

- Engines: Boosters:(42L, 44LP or 44L) 0, 2 or 4 Viking 6 with thrust of 752.003 kN, (Ariane 42P, 44LP or 44P) 0, 2 or 4 Solid with a thrust of 492.9 kN (110,800 lbf), (7000 Heavy) 9 GEM 46 with a thrust of 650 kN, First stage: 4 Viking 5C with thrust of 3,034.1 kN, Second stage: 1 Viking 4B with thrust of 720.965 kN, Third stage: 1 HM7-B with thrust of 62.703 kN.

The Ariane 4 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. 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.