Ariane 2

Ariane 3

Function	Medium launch vehicle
Manufacturer	Aérospatiale for ESA and Arianespace
Size
Height	49.13 m (161.2 ft)
Diameter	3.8 m (12 ft)
Mass	215,000 kg (474,000 lb)
Stages	3
Capacity
Associated rockets
Family	Ariane
Launch history
Status	Active
Launch sites	Guiana Space Centre ELA-1
Total launches	6
Successes	5
Failures	1
First flight	31 May 1986
Last flight	2 April 1989
Notable payloads	Tele-X

Ariane 2 was a European expendable carrier rocket, which was used for six launches between 1986 and 1989. It was a member of the Ariane family of rockets, and was produced by Aérospatiale in France.

The Ariane 2 was derived from the earlier Ariane 3, without additional solid rocket boosters. Its payload capacity was increased to 2,175 kilograms (4,795 lb) to a geosynchronous transfer orbit.

Launch history

Main article: List of Ariane launches (1979–89)

Ariane 2 first flew on 31 May 1986 carrying the Intelsat-5A F-14 satellite. The third stage had a partial ignition followed by another ignition above nominal pressure which lead to the engine failure. Because upper stage was shared with other Ariane rockets all flights has been suspended until 16 September 1987. As a result of investigation more powerful igniters were installed. Following this, five more launches were conducted, all of which were successful. The last Ariane 2 launch occurred on 2 April 1989, successfully placing Tele-X into orbit.

External links

• Ariane 2 and 3 photo gallery
• ESA Ariane 1,2,3