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ArianespaceLaunch SuccessfulCommunicationsAriane 42L
Launched 1993-05-12 00:56:32 UTCAriane Launch Area 2, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Success
Reached Geostationary Orbit
Worldwide
31st
orbital launch attempt in 1993
Arianespace
1st
launch this year
Ariane Launch Area 2
1st
launch from this pad this year
Pad turnaround
161 d 2 h
since the pad's previous launch
Astra 1B was the third of the Astra communications satellites launched and operated by SES (Société Européenne des Satellites). Arsene (Ariane Radio-Amateur Satellite Enseignement Espace) was designed and built by the French space agency CNES's radio amateur group (RACE) and carried a VHF/UHF and a UHF/S-band transponder.
Arianespace SA is a multinational company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial launch service provider. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane programme. Their vehicles launch exclusively from French Guiana in South America.
Launches
328
Successful
313
95%
Upcoming
51
scheduled
Height
55.6m
Diameter
3.8m
To low Earth orbit
7,000kg
Liftoff thrust
4,600kN
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