Ariane 4 rocket versions, artwork. From left to right these are the Ariane 40, Ariane 42P, Ariane 44P, Ariane 42L, Ariane 44LP, and the Ariane 44L. Th

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Ariane 4 rocket versions, artwork. From left to right these are the Ariane 40, Ariane 42P, Ariane 44P, Ariane 42L, Ariane 44LP, and the Ariane 44L. The Ariane 4 launch system was used by the European Space Agency and the French space agency (CNES) to place satellites and other heavy payloads in Earth orbit. Ariane 4 launches, carried out by Arianespace, began in 1988, with over 116 launches taking place between then and the last launch in 2003. The six variants were capable of providing greater thrust as more strap-on boosters were added, with the payload mass increasing (left to right) from 2100 to 4730 kilograms.

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Size: 4401px × 3993px
Photo credit: © DAVID DUCROS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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