# Ariane 1

> rocket of the Ariane family

**Wikidata**: [Q18375](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18375)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ariane-1

## Summary
Ariane 1 was the first rocket in the Ariane family, an expendable launch vehicle developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace. It operated from 1979 to 1986 as a small-lift launch vehicle capable of delivering payloads to low-Earth orbit and geostationary transfer orbit.

## Key Facts
- **First launch**: December 24, 1979
- **Last launch**: February 22, 1986
- **Operator**: European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace
- **Manufacturer**: Aérospatiale
- **Height**: 47.4 meters
- **Diameter**: 3.8 meters
- **Mass**: 207,200 kg (gross weight)
- **Payload capacity**: 1,400 kg to low-Earth orbit, 1,830 kg to geostationary transfer orbit
- **Stages**: Three-stage-to-orbit rocket
- **Successor**: Ariane 2

## FAQs
### Q: When was Ariane 1 first launched?
A: Ariane 1 was first launched on December 24, 1979.

### Q: What was the payload capacity of Ariane 1?
A: Ariane 1 could carry up to 1,400 kg to low-Earth orbit and 1,830 kg to geostationary transfer orbit.

### Q: Who operated Ariane 1?
A: Ariane 1 was operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace.

### Q: What was the height and diameter of Ariane 1?
A: Ariane 1 had a height of 47.4 meters and a diameter of 3.8 meters.

### Q: What succeeded Ariane 1?
A: Ariane 1 was succeeded by Ariane 2.

## Why It Matters
Ariane 1 marked a significant milestone in European space exploration by providing Europe with independent access to space. As the first rocket in the Ariane family, it demonstrated Europe's capability to design, manufacture, and operate a reliable launch vehicle. This independence was crucial for deploying European satellites and conducting scientific missions without relying on other countries' launch services. Ariane 1's success laid the foundation for subsequent Ariane rockets, which have become a cornerstone of Europe's space infrastructure, supporting communications, Earth observation, and scientific research.

## Notable For
- **First European launch vehicle**: Ariane 1 was the first rocket in the Ariane family, marking Europe's entry into the space launch market.
- **Independent access to space**: It provided Europe with the ability to launch satellites without depending on other countries.
- **Versatile payload capacity**: Capable of delivering payloads to both low-Earth orbit and geostationary transfer orbit.
- **Foundation for future rockets**: Ariane 1's success paved the way for the development of subsequent Ariane rockets.
- **Notable missions**: Launched several significant satellites, including the Giotto spacecraft, which visited Comets Halley and Grigg-Skjellerup.

## Body
### Overview
Ariane 1 was an expendable launch vehicle and the first rocket in the Ariane family. It was designed to provide Europe with independent access to space, allowing the continent to launch satellites without relying on other countries' launch services.

### Specifications
- **Height**: 47.4 meters
- **Diameter**: 3.8 meters
- **Mass**: 207,200 kg (gross weight)
- **Payload capacity**: 1,400 kg to low-Earth orbit, 1,830 kg to geostationary transfer orbit
- **Stages**: Three-stage-to-orbit rocket

### Development and Operation
Ariane 1 was developed by Aérospatiale and operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace. It was launched from the ELA-1 launch site.

### Launch History
- **First launch**: December 24, 1979
- **Last launch**: February 22, 1986

### Successor
Ariane 1 was succeeded by Ariane 2, which continued the legacy of providing Europe with reliable access to space.

### Notable Missions
Ariane 1 launched several significant satellites, including:
- **Giotto**: A retired ESA spacecraft that visited Comets Halley and Grigg-Skjellerup.
- **Viking**: Sweden's first satellite.
- **CAT-1, CAT-3, CAT-4**: ESA artificial satellites.
- **SPOT 1**: An Earth observation satellite (1986-2003).
- **Meteosat 2**: A decommissioned European weather satellite.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Ariane 1",
  "description": "The first rocket in the Ariane family, an expendable launch vehicle developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace.",
  "url": "https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Ariane_1_2_32",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208525", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_1"],
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## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/a/ariane1.html)
2. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Ariane_1_2_32)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/ariane-1.htm)