glenn@LL-VLSI.ARPA (Glenn Chapman) (06/15/88)
The European Space Agency successfully launched their new Ariane 4
rocket today (June 15) from the French Guiane launch site. The Ariane 4 is
designed to lift a range of cargoes depending on the types of strapon first
stages. This goes from 2 solids up to 4 solids, and 2 liquids to 4 liquids
(plus one intermediate combination of solid/liquid). This is an important
flight as the Ariane 4 is expected to be the main ESA booster for the next 8
years or so. 50 boosters of this class are currently on order. Maximum
lift to geo transfer orbit is about 4.2 Tonnes.
Until the Titan 4 or Shuttle flies this gives the ESA the same (or more)
heavy lift capacity as the USA has. Unless changes are made this country is
definitely moving into third place in space.
Glenn Chapman
MIT Lincoln Lab