Function Medium launch vehicle Diameter 3.8 m (12 ft) | Height 49.13 m (161.2 ft) Stages 3 | |
Manufacturer Aérospatiale for
ESA and Arianespace Mass 215,000 kg (474,000 lb) | ||
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 is similar to 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
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 led to the engine failure. Because upper stage was shared with other Ariane rockets all flights was 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.