The first Ariane 4 rocket (Ariane 401) of the European Space Agency (ESA) prior to its rollout at ESA's launch base at Kourou, French Guiana, in April

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The first Ariane 4 rocket (Ariane 401) of the European Space Agency (ESA) prior to its rollout at ESA's launch base at Kourou, French Guiana, in April 1988. The Ariane 4 is a versatile 3-stage vehicle with 2-4 strap-on boosters containing either solid or liquid fuel. In this picture, it is seen with 2 liquid propellant boosters (LPBs). Ariane 4 stands 60 metres tall, & can lift payloads of 1900-4800 kg (4190-2960 lbs) into geostationary orbit. Ariane 401 was launched on 15 June 1988, & carried 3 satellites into orbit: Pan American Satellite 1, Meteosat P2, & Amsat III C.

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Size: 3808px × 4635px
Photo credit: © DAVID PARKER, ESA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 4, agency, ariane, centre, esa, esas, european, french, guiana, kourou, rocket, rollout, space, spaceflight