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Ariane 3

Ariane 3 combined the lengthened Ariane 2 core with two solid strap-on boosters for heavier dual-satellite missions. All eleven vehicles, from V10 in August 1984 through V32 in July 1989, completed their planned launches.

Ariane 3
NASA / Bill Ingalls · NASA asset; NASA Image Library item NHQ202112250015 identifies the exact Ariane 5 launch image and credits NASA / Bill Ingalls. NASA’s current Images and Media Usage Guidelines generally permit factual or informational/editorial use with NASA attribution and without implying NASA endorsement; third-party material identified as copyright-protected remains separately restricted. NASA insignia, logotype, identifiers, visible partner marks, and any commercial, promotional, merchandise, or other protected-rights use remain separately clearance-sensitive; verify before such use. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
Ariane-3
Family Name
Ariane
Full Name
Ariane 3
Status
retired
Type
rocket
Variant Name
3

Details

Description
Ariane 3 combined the lengthened Ariane 2 core with two solid strap-on boosters for heavier dual-satellite missions. All eleven vehicles, from V10 in August 1984 through V32 in July 1989, completed their planned launches.
Dimensions
Diameter
…
Height
…
First Flight Year
1,984
Last Flight Year
1,989
Manufacturer
Operator
Parent Vehicle Family
Propulsion Configurations
  • Entries
    • Count
      4
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Four Viking 5 engines power the Ariane 3 first stage.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      One Viking 4 engine powers the Ariane 3 second stage.
    • Count
      2
      Placement
      booster
      Propulsion System
      Role
      booster
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Two Ariane 3 PAP solid strap-on boosters augment the first stage; the exact motor suffix and manufacturer are not established by the cited sources.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Stage
      third-stage
      Variant Notes
      One HM7-family cryogenic engine powers the Ariane 3 third stage; exact HM7B attribution remains unmodeled.
    Name
    Ariane 3
    Notes
    Ariane 3 retains the Ariane 2 three-stage Viking/HM7-family core and adds two launcher-specific PAP solid strap-on boosters; the HM7B suffix and any booster manufacturer or motor suffix not established by the cited sources remain unmodeled.
Rocket Specs
Liftoff Mass
…
Payload Capacity
GTO
…
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
3
Strap On Boosters Count
2

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Creation Time
July 13, 2026 at 10:20:36 UTC
Updated Time
August 1, 2026 at 11:44:09 UTC