Feb 2 1982
From The Space Library
ESA announced that it would develop a more powerful version of its Ariane launcher to "enhance its competitiveness on the Space Transportation Systems market over the period 1986 to 1993 by reducing the cost per kilogram in orbit and providing greater adaptability to user requirements." Ariane 4 would differ from Ariane 3 in enlargement of the first-stage tanks, increasing on-board propellants from 140 tons to 220 tons; addition of liquid-or solid-fuel boosters in various combinations of two or four; and a new fairing fitted as necessary with a new dual-launch system, use of which was expected to increase steadily. Six versions of this new Ariane would permit launch of a wide range of spacecraft with masses between 1,100 and 4,300 kilograms; maximum lift would be twice that of the initial Ariane 1.
The development schedule called for a demonstration flight late in 1985 and an operational flight beginning early in 1986. Cost was estimated as $241 million U.S. (1981 prices). ESA has given France's Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) technical direction and financial management of the development program. (ESA Info 5)
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