# Ariane 44LP

> rocket in the Ariane 4 series

**Wikidata**: [Q9159564](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9159564)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ariane-44lp

## Summary  
Ariane 44LP is a French‑built, expendable medium‑lift launch vehicle that belongs to the Ariane 4 family. Operated by Arianespace from the ELA‑2 launch pad, it flew from 15 June 1988 until 27 November 2001, delivering payloads of up to 9 t to low‑Earth orbit and 4.3 t to geostationary transfer orbit.

## Key Facts  
- **First flight:** 15 June 1988; **last flight:** 27 November 2001【source】.  
- **Manufacturer:** Aérospatiale (France)【source】.  
- **Operator:** Arianespace【source】.  
- **Launch site:** ELA‑2 at the Guiana Space Centre【source】.  
- **Mass (gross weight):** 420 000 kg【source】.  
- **Height:** 58.4 m; **Diameter:** 3.8 m (PAL & PAP‑12 boosters)【source】.  
- **Maximum thrust:** 5 250 kN【source】.  
- **Payload capacity:** 9 100 kg to low‑Earth orbit; 4 290 kg to geostationary transfer orbit【source】.  
- **Classifications:** Expendable launch vehicle, three‑stage‑to‑orbit, medium‑lift launch vehicle【source】.  
- **Part of:** Ariane 4 series; subclass of Ariane 44LP includes boosters PAL, PAP‑12, L220, L33B, and H10【source】.

## FAQs  
### Q: When did the Ariane 44LP program start and end?  
A: The first Ariane 44LP launch occurred on 15 June 1988, and the final launch was on 27 November 2001.  

### Q: How much payload could Ariane 44LP carry?  
A: It could deliver up to 9 100 kg to low‑Earth orbit and 4 290 kg to geostationary transfer orbit.  

### Q: What makes Ariane 44LP different from other Ariane 4 variants?  
A: Ariane 44LP uses a specific combination of two solid strap‑on boosters (PAL and PAP‑12) plus liquid boosters (L220, L33B) and the H10 third stage, giving it a distinct thrust profile and payload capability within the Ariane 4 family.  

### Q: Who built and operated the Ariane 44LP?  
A: It was manufactured by Aérospatiale in France and operated commercially by Arianespace.  

### Q: From which launch complex were Ariane 44LP missions launched?  
A: All Ariane 44LP flights launched from the ELA‑2 pad at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.  

## Why It Matters  
Ariane 44LP played a pivotal role in establishing Europe’s independent access to space during the late 20th century. By offering a reliable medium‑lift capability, it enabled the deployment of a wide range of commercial, scientific, and governmental satellites—including communications platforms like Eutelsat W75/ABS‑1B, the Hipparcos astrometry mission, and numerous geostationary satellites for broadcasters worldwide. Its flexible booster configuration allowed operators to tailor performance to specific mission requirements, enhancing cost‑effectiveness and launch cadence. The vehicle’s successful track record helped cement Arianespace’s reputation as a premier launch service provider and laid the groundwork for the next generation of Ariane rockets, influencing European launch policy and commercial space economics for decades.  

## Notable For  
- First Ariane 4 variant to combine PAL and PAP‑12 solid boosters with liquid boosters L220 and L33B.  
- Delivered over 30 successful satellite missions across Europe, North America, and Asia.  
- Achieved a maximum thrust of 5 250 kN, one of the highest among medium‑lift launchers of its era.  
- Served as a workhorse for Arianespace, maintaining a high launch reliability rate throughout its 13‑year service.  
- Demonstrated the modularity of the Ariane 4 family, influencing the design philosophy of later Ariane models.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Ariane 44LP is a three‑stage, expendable launch vehicle belonging to the Ariane 4 series. It was designed to bridge the gap between light launchers and heavy‑lift systems, providing medium‑lift capacity for a variety of payloads.  

### Development and Manufacture  
- **Manufacturer:** Aérospatiale, a French aerospace firm, produced the vehicle’s structural components, propulsion systems, and integration hardware.  
- **Operator:** Arianespace marketed and operated the rocket for commercial and governmental customers.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 420 000 kg (gross weight).  
- **Dimensions:** Height 58.4 m; diameter 3.8 m.  
- **Propulsion:**  
  - First stage equipped with two solid strap‑on boosters (PAL and PAP‑12).  
  - Liquid boosters L220 and L33B augment thrust.  
  - Third stage H10 provides the final orbital insertion burn.  
- **Maximum thrust:** 5 250 kN.  
- **Payload capacity:** 9 100 kg to LEO; 4 290 kg to GTO.  

### Launch History  
- **First launch:** 15 June 1988 from ELA‑2, Guiana Space Centre.  
- **Final launch:** 27 November 2001, concluding a 13‑year operational period.  
- **Typical missions:** Deployment of communications satellites (e.g., Eutelsat, Intelsat), scientific payloads (Hipparcos), and regional broadcasting platforms.  

### Operational Role  
Ariane 44LP’s modular booster configuration allowed customers to select the optimal performance envelope for each mission, balancing cost and capability. Its reliability contributed to Europe’s reputation as a dependable launch provider and supported the growth of the commercial satellite market in the 1990s.  

### Related Vehicles and Legacy  
- Part of the broader Ariane 4 family, which included variants such as Ariane 44L, Ariane 44P, and Ariane 42P.  
- The design principles of modular boosters and three‑stage architecture informed the development of Ariane 5 and later Ariane 6 launchers.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Ariane 44LP",
  "description": "Rocket in the Ariane 4 series, a French expendable medium‑lift launch vehicle operated by Arianespace from 1988 to 2001.",
  "additionalType": "Rocket"
}

## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/a/ariane44lp.html)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/ariane.htm)