Le site de vulgarisation scientifique de l’Université de Liège. ULg, Université de Liège
Ariane

The Ariane programme aimed at providing Europe with the ability to launch satellites. The first designed model (Ariane I) had a take-off mass of 210 tons and was capable of placing 1.85 kg in orbit. Its first flight took place on 24th December, 1979. Eleven Ariane I rockets were fired between 1979 and 1986.

Other versions followed, allowing for larger and larger satellites to be placed in orbit. The first Ariane V flight took place on 4th June, 1996. Its take-off mass is around 750 tons and it can place satellites weighing over 9 tons in orbit.

© 2007 ULi�ge