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Ariane 4 40

Ariane 4 40 was the boosterless, lightest Ariane 4 configuration. Seven vehicles flew between 1990 and 1999, using the three-stage core to carry payloads of up to about 2,000 kg to geostationary transfer orbit; all seven launches succeeded.

Ariane 4 40
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 40Ariane-40
Family Name
Ariane 4
Full Name
Ariane 4 40
Status
retired
Type
rocket
Variant Name
40

Details

Description
Ariane 4 40 was the boosterless, lightest Ariane 4 configuration. Seven vehicles flew between 1990 and 1999, using the three-stage core to carry payloads of up to about 2,000 kg to geostationary transfer orbit; all seven launches succeeded.
First Flight Year
1,990
Last Flight Year
1,999
Operator
Parent Vehicle Family
Propulsion Configurations
  • Entries
    • Count
      4
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Four Viking 5 engines on the Ariane 4 first stage.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      Single Viking 4 engine on the Ariane 4 second stage.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Stage
      third-stage
      Variant Notes
      Single HM7B cryogenic engine on the Ariane 4 third stage.
    Name
    Ariane 4 40 standard propulsion
    Notes
    Ariane 4 40 is the no-strap-on variant with four Viking 5 first-stage engines, one Viking 4 second-stage engine, and one HM7B third-stage engine.
Rocket Specs
Payload Capacity
GTO
…
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
3
Strap On Boosters Count
0

Links

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Creation Time
July 14, 2026 at 17:41:02 UTC
Updated Time
August 1, 2026 at 08:31:37 UTC