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.