# H10+

> upper rocket stage built by Aérospatiale

**Wikidata**: [Q126022310](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126022310)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/h10-q126022310

## Summary
The H10+ is an upper rocket stage built by Aérospatiale that functioned as a space tug for the Ariane rocket family. It was used to move payloads from reference orbits to target orbits or direct them to interplanetary trajectories between 1992 and 1995.

## Key Facts
- Manufacturer: Aérospatiale of France
- Part of the space tug class of spacecraft vehicles
- Gross weight: 12,800 kg; dry weight: 1,740 kg
- Height: 11.80 meters; diameter: 2.66 meters
- Powered by the HM7B engine with maximum thrust of 62.7 kN in vacuum
- Used in Ariane 40, 42P, 42L, 44P, 44LP, and 44L configurations
- First flight: April 15, 1992; last flight: April 21, 1995
- Specific impulse: 446 seconds in vacuum

## FAQs
### Q: What is the H10+ used for?
A: The H10+ is an upper rocket stage that functions as a space tug, designed to move payloads from a reference orbit to a target orbit or direct them to an interplanetary trajectory.

### Q: Which rockets used the H10+ upper stage?
A: The H10+ was used in several Ariane rocket configurations, including the Ariane 40, Ariane 42P, Ariane 42L, Ariane 44P, Ariane 44LP, and Ariane 44L.

### Q: What was the propulsion system of the H10+?
A: The H10+ was powered by the HM7B engine, providing a maximum thrust of 62.7 kilonewtons in vacuum conditions, with a specific impulse of 446 seconds.

### Q: How long was the H10+ operational?
A: The H10+ was operational from its maiden flight on April 15, 1992, to its last flight on April 21, 1995.

### Q: What distinguished the H10+ from other rocket stages?
A: The H10+ served as a space tug with precise orbital maneuvering capabilities, featuring specific technical specifications such as its gross weight of 12,800 kg and height of 11.80 meters.

## Why It Matters
The H10+ played a crucial role in European space launch capabilities during the early 1990s, specifically designed for the precision required to position satellites in their intended orbits or set them on interplanetary trajectories. As part of the Ariane family of rockets, it supported Europe's commercial space industry and demonstrated advanced spacecraft propulsion and orbital maneuvering technologies. Although its operational lifespan was relatively short (1992-1995), the H10+ contributed to the evolution of upper stage technology and helped establish Europe's presence in the global launch market. Its technical specifications reflect the engineering solutions developed for geostationary transfer orbit missions, which remain critical for telecommunications and other satellite applications today.

## Notable For
- Serving as a space tug with the capability to precisely position satellites in their intended orbits
- Being used across multiple Ariane rocket configurations (40, 42P, 42L, 44P, 44LP, 44L)
- Having a specific technical profile with gross weight of 12,800 kg and maximum thrust of 62.7 kN in vacuum
- Its relatively short operational period of just over three years (1992-1995)
- Being powered by the HM7B engine, which provided significant performance for its time

## Body
### Overview
The H10+ is an upper rocket stage built by the French company Aérospatiale, designed as a space tug to transfer payloads between orbits or direct them to interplanetary trajectories. It is part of the H10 family of upper stages and falls under the space tug classification of spacecraft vehicles.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 12,800 kg (gross weight); 1,740 kg (dry weight)
- Height: 11.80 meters
- Diameter: 2.66 meters
- Propulsion system: HM7B engine
- Maximum thrust: 62.7 kN (in vacuum)
- Specific impulse: 446 seconds (in vacuum)

### Operational History
- First flight: April 15, 1992 (maiden flight)
- Last flight: April 21, 1995
- Operational period: Approximately 3 years and 1 month

### Applications
The H10+ was used in multiple Ariane rocket configurations:
- Ariane 40
- Ariane 42P
- Ariane 42L
- Ariane 44P
- Ariane 44LP
- Ariane 44L

These variants represented different configurations for various mission requirements, with the H10+ providing the upper stage capability for all of them during their operational period.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/a/ariane4-3h10plus.html)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/ariane.htm)