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.

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