The Ariane 2 and Ariane 3 were expendable launch systems in the Ariane family designed by the European Space Agency.
They were almost identical, with the Ariane 3 equipped with strap-on boosters.
They were the successors of the Ariane 1 and the predecessors of the Ariane 4.
Technical details
The Ariane 2 & 3 had the same basic design as Ariane 1, but with increased thrust for first and second stage engines, a taller third stage, and a larger internal payload fairing volume.
In addition Ariane 3 had two solid rocket motor strap-ons.
Its payload capacity was 2175-2580 kg.
They were three-stage rockets:
- The first stage was equipped with 4 solid propellant engines.
- The second had a single N2O4/UDMH bipropellant engine.
- The third stage also had a single N2O4/UDMH bipropellant engine.
This design will be kept until the Ariane 4.
Launch history
The first launch of Ariane 2 was on May 30, 1986 and was a failure.
The remaining launches were all successful.
There were only a few flights of the Ariane 2, 6 in total, the last on April 2, 1989.
The first launch of Ariane 3 was on August 4, 1984; almost two years before the Ariane 2.
In total there were 11 flights; only the fifth failed.
The small number of flights of the Ariane 2 & 3 is due to the arrival of the much more versatile and powerful Ariane 4.
