# Ariane 4

> European rocket of the Ariane family

**Wikidata**: [Q18387](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18387)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariane_4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ariane-4

## Summary
Ariane 4 is a European rocket series of the Ariane family, classified as an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle. It was operated by Arianespace from 1988 to 2003, serving as a successor to Ariane 3 and a predecessor to Ariane 5. The series included multiple variants designed to lift moderate payloads to low-Earth orbit.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Ariane 4 is an instance of a rocket series and is a subclass of expendable launch vehicles and medium-lift launch vehicles.
*   **Operational Period:** It began operations on June 15, 1988, and concluded on February 15, 2003.
*   **Operator:** The Ariane 4 series was operated by Arianespace.
*   **Manufacturers:** It was manufactured by Aérospatiale and Airbus SAS.
*   **Predecessor:** Ariane 4 followed the Ariane 3 rocket series.
*   **Successor:** It was succeeded by the Ariane 5 rocket series.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch vehicle's start point was ELA-2.
*   **Variants:** The Ariane 4 series included several variants such as Ariane 40, Ariane 42P, Ariane 42L, Ariane 44P, Ariane 44LP, and Ariane 44L.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Ariane 4?
A: Ariane 4 is a European rocket series belonging to the Ariane family. It is an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle designed to carry moderate payloads into low-Earth orbit.

### Q: When was Ariane 4 in service?
A: Ariane 4 was operational from its first launch on June 15, 1988, until its final flight on February 15, 2003.

### Q: Who operated and manufactured Ariane 4?
A: Ariane 4 was operated by Arianespace. Its manufacturing was handled by Aérospatiale and Airbus SAS.

### Q: What types of Ariane 4 rockets existed?
A: The Ariane 4 series comprised several variants, including Ariane 40, Ariane 42P, Ariane 42L, Ariane 44P, Ariane 44LP, and Ariane 44L, each offering different capabilities.

### Q: Which rockets did Ariane 4 succeed and precede?
A: Ariane 4 succeeded the Ariane 3 rocket series. It was, in turn, followed by the Ariane 5 rocket series.

## Why It Matters
The Ariane 4 series holds significant importance as a foundational element of European space access during its operational period. As a medium-lift expendable launch vehicle, it provided a reliable and versatile means for Europe to launch satellites and other payloads into orbit. Its existence as a "rocket series" with multiple variants (Ariane 40, 42P, 42L, 44P, 44LP, 44L) demonstrates its adaptability to a range of mission requirements, allowing for varied payload capacities and orbital destinations.

Furthermore, Ariane 4 played a crucial role in the evolution of the Ariane family, bridging the gap between the earlier Ariane 3 and the more advanced Ariane 5. Its successful operation for 15 years, under the stewardship of Arianespace, solidified Europe's independent access to space and fostered the development of its space industry. The experience and technological advancements gained from Ariane 4 were instrumental in paving the way for future generations of European launch vehicles, making it a key stepping stone in the continent's space exploration endeavors.

## Notable For
*   **Versatile Design:** Featured multiple distinct variants (Ariane 40, 42P, 42L, 44P, 44LP, 44L) to accommodate a range of payload sizes and mission profiles.
*   **European Lineage:** Served as the direct successor to Ariane 3 and the direct predecessor to Ariane 5, marking a significant phase in the development of the European Ariane rocket family.
*   **Operational Longevity:** Operated successfully for 15 years, from 1988 to 2003, under the operator Arianespace.
*   **Medium-Lift Capability:** Classified as a medium-lift launch vehicle, capable of lifting moderate payloads to low-Earth orbit.

## Body

### Overview
Ariane 4 is a European rocket series, part of the broader Ariane family of launch vehicles. It is classified as an expendable launch vehicle and a medium-lift launch vehicle, designed to carry moderate payloads into low-Earth orbit. The series was developed and manufactured by Aérospatiale and Airbus SAS.

### Operational History
The Ariane 4 series began its operational life on June 15, 1988. It was operated by Arianespace throughout its service period. Launches originated from the ELA-2 launch point. The final mission for an Ariane 4 rocket took place on February 15, 2003, marking the end of its 15-year operational career.

### Variants and Capabilities
The Ariane 4 series comprised several distinct configurations, indicating its adaptability to various mission requirements. These variants included:
*   Ariane 40
*   Ariane 42P
*   Ariane 42L
*   Ariane 44P
*   Ariane 44LP
*   Ariane 44L

These configurations often involved different combinations of solid rocket boosters (like PAP-12, sometimes) and liquid rocket boosters (like PAL, sometimes), along with core stages such as the L220 (stage 1), L33B (stage 2), and H10 (stage 3).

### Development and Manufacturing
The Ariane 4 rocket series was a collaborative European effort, with manufacturing responsibilities primarily held by Aérospatiale and Airbus SAS.

### Lineage
Ariane 4 holds a key position in the evolution of the Ariane family. It directly followed the Ariane 3 rocket series, building upon its predecessors' technologies and operational experience. Upon its retirement, Ariane 4 was directly succeeded by the Ariane 5 rocket series, which continued Europe's independent access to space.

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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Ariane 4",
  "description": "Ariane 4 is a European rocket series of the Ariane family, classified as an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle.",
  "sameAs": [
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  "additionalType": "https://schema.org/Rocket",
  "startDate": "1988-06-15",
  "endDate": "2003-02-15",
  "manufacturer": [
    "Aérospatiale",
    "Airbus SAS"
  ],
  "operator": "Arianespace"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/ariane.htm)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BabelNet