Ariane 2 and Ariane 3
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Ariane 2 and Ariane 3 were expendable launch systems in the Ariane family designed by the European Space Agency. They were almost identical, but Ariane 3 was equipped with strap-on boosters. They were the successors to Ariane 1 and predecessors of the Ariane 4.
Technical details
Ariane 2 & 3 had the same basic design as Ariane 1, but with increased thrust of first and second stage engines, a taller third stage, and a larger internal payload fairing volume. In addition Ariane 3 had two solid rocket motor strap-ons. Their payload capacity was 2175-2580 kg.
They were three-stage rockets:
- The first stage was equipped with four solid propellant engines.
- The second and third stages each had a single N2O4/UDMH bipropellant engine.
Launch history
The first launch of Ariane 2 was on 30 May 1986, and was a failure. The remaining launches were all successful. There were only six flights of Ariane 2, the last being on 2 April 1989.
The first launch of Ariane 3 was on 4 August 1984, almost two years before Ariane 2. In total there were 11 flights; only the fifth failed.
The small number of flights of Ariane 2 & 3 was due to the arrival of the much more versatile and powerful Ariane 4.de:Ariane 3 fr:Ariane III fi:Ariane 3