K2

ARIANE 4 was a rocket which made it possible to place satellite S in Orbite around the Ground, one also speaks about launcher .

Structure

ARIANE 4 resembles at first sight the first ARIANE, ARIANE 1, ARIANE 2 and ARIANE 3. Like them, it was a rocket on three floors, but more powerful. It was also more flexible with its various versions usable according to the load to carry.

The first stage was propelled by four Moteurs Viking, the second by only one Viking 4, and the third by an engine Cryogénique HM7 - B. These three stages were common to all the ARIANE 4.

There is had six versions different of ARIANE 4 making it possible to launch 1 or 2 satellites in geostationary Orbite of transfer (GTO) with a total mass of 2 070 with 4 900 kg. It had according to the versions of the additional engines (0, 2 or 4) of variable types (with powder or liquid):

ARIANE 40 (without strap-on booster)
ARIANE 42P (2 powder strap-on boosters)
ARIANE 44P (4 powder strap-on boosters)
ARIANE 42L (2 strap-on boosters with Propellent liquid)
ARIANE 44LP (2 powder strap-on boosters and 2 liquid)
ARIANE 44L (4 strap-on boosters liquidates)

The 44L was most powerful with a 58,4 meters height for a mass of 470 tons. It made it possible to carry the heaviest loads in geostationary orbit.

Career

The first launching took place the June 15th 1988, and was a perfect success.

ARIANE 4 carried out more than 100 flights (116 exactly) with a level of confidence higher than 97 % (3 failures).

It finished its career on February 15th 2003, replaced by ARIANE 5 which makes it possible to take along heavier loads.

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