Kourou Credit - © Mark Wade

After the agreement with newly independent Algeria for France to evacuate their launch sites in that country, a location near Biscarosse was selected for French missile testing. However since only launches westwards across the Bay of Biscay could be made from this site, it was unsuitable for France's Diamant orbital launch vehicle. After reviewing 14 potential sites, a location in the South American French colony of Guiana was selected. This would allow over-water launches to a tremendous range of possible orbital inclinations -- from -100.5 deg to 1.5 deg. Being near the equator, it would provide the maximum assist from the earth's rotation for launches into equatorial orbits. The decision was formalized in April 1964 and in July 1966 ELDO chose the site for future launches of the Europa II launch vehicle.

Four pads for sounding rockets were completed in 1968 and a Diamant pad in 1969. The Europa II launch complex was ready in 1971 but used for only one launch before that project collapsed. At the time of the last Diamant orbital launch in 1975, 184 sounding rocket and 9 orbital launches had been made from Kourou.

Operational activities nearly ceased for three years while a complete renovation of the center was undertaken to support the new European Ariane orbital launch vehicle. The Europa II launch complex was modified for use with the Ariane, and the first launch took place from the ELA-1 pad in December 1979. As the Ariane became more successful and the communications satellite launch market boomed, a decision was taken in 1981 to build a second orbital pad, ELA-2. This was completed in 1986 and used to support a high rate of Ariane 4 launches. The final addition was ELA-3 for the all-new Ariane 5 vehicle. This was begun in 1988 and took eight years to build. After the final Ariane 4 launch in 2003, ELA-1 and ELA-2 were decommissioned and ELA-4 remained the only active orbital pad.

Given its ideal location, over the years many proposals have been made to build launch complexes for other orbital vehicles at Kourou. These included Russian Soyuz, Ukrainian Tsyklon, and Italian Vega proposals. As of 2003 the most active project was the possible erection of a Soyuz launch complex at Kourou, at a total expense of $ 371 million. However despite being discussed between the heads of state, financing for this scheme remained elusive.

• Name: Aire de Lancement Fusee-Sondes. Latitude: 5.2080 N. Longitude: 52.7317 W. Launch Pads: 1. Arcas, Belier, Centaure, Dauphin, Dragon, Eridan, Nike-Cajun, Dragon, Skua.

• Name: Ensemble Veronique ALFS. Latitude: 5.2080 N. Longitude: 52.7317 W. Launch Pads: 1. Veronique, Veronique 61, Vesta.

• Name: Aire de Lancement CECLES. Latitude: 5.2358 N. Longitude: 52.7747 W. Launch Pads: 1. Europa, Nike-Cajun.

• Name: Aire de Lancement Diamant. Latitude: 5.2333 N. Longitude: 52.7517 W. Launch Pads: 1. Diamant B, Diamant BP.4.

• Name: Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 1. Latitude: 5.2358 N. Longitude: 52.7747 W. Launch Pads: 1. Ariane 1, Ariane 2/3.

• Name: Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 2. Latitude: 5.2322 N. Longitude: 52.7755 W. Launch Pads: 1. Ariane 2/3, Ariane 4, Ariane 42L, Ariane 42P, Ariane 44L, Ariane 44LP, Ariane 44P.

• Name: Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 3. Latitude: 5.2375 N. Longitude: 52.7607 W. Launch Pads: 1. Ariane 5 EC-A, Ariane 5G.

Kourou Credit - © Mark Wade

• 1968 April 9 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique. . Veronique AGI AGI 62 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi). FU184 Technology (sea recovery) mission.

• 1968 July 25 - Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61. . Veronique 61M 61M/89 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 185 km (114 mi). No recovery. FU185 Technology + X-ray astronomy / Stab mission.

• 1968 September 26 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E002 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi).

• 1968 December 18 - Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61. . Veronique 61M 61M/83 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 162 km (100 mi). No recovery. FU159 UV astronomy / Stab mission.

• 1968 December 22 - Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61. . Veronique 61M 61M/90 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 188 km (116 mi). No recovery. FU159 X-ray and UV astronomy / Stab mission.

• 1969 February 20 11:48 - CIRCE Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique. Failure, premature fairing jettison.. Veronique AGI AGI 61 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 107 km (66 mi). FU170 CIRCE, Mass spectrometry mission.

• 1969 March 6 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Belier III 304 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1969 March 17 12:09 - Solar mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon D-29 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 410 km (250 mi).

• 1969 April 12 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E005 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 413 km (256 mi).

• 1969 April 19 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Belier B116 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

• 1969 April 23 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E003 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 415 km (257 mi).

• 1969 April 26 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Dragon. Dragon 3 D-302 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 520 km (320 mi).

• 1969 August 18 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Belier B117 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 67 km (41 mi).

• 1969 August 22 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E004 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 242 km (150 mi).

• 1969 November 8 - FU-189 Test mission Launch Vehicle: Vesta. Vesta 006 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi). FU-189 Astronomy mission.

• 1970 February 3 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Belier B139 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 64 km (39 mi).

• 1970 March 10 12:20 - DIAL-WIKA Launch Vehicle: Diamant B. Diamant B No. 1 LC: Diamant. Apogee: 1,631 km (1,013 mi). Engineering package.

• 1970 November 6 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Belier. Belier B140 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 60 km (37 mi).

• 1970 December 12 13:04 - Peole Launch Vehicle: Diamant B. Diamant B No. 2 LC: Diamant. Apogee: 750 km (460 mi). Gathered data from meteorological balloon system.

• 1971 March 5 14:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 12.19GM Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1971 March 15 06:01 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.375GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 73 km (45 mi).

• 1971 March 16 13:16 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.376GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi).

• 1971 March 18 19:39 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.380GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 125 km (77 mi).

• 1971 April 15 09:19 - Tournesol Launch Vehicle: Diamant B. Diamant B No. 3 LC: Diamant. Apogee: 696 km (432 mi).

• 1971 May 17 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E006 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 196 km (121 mi).

• 1971 June 8 19:46 - GESAIR Biological/Geophysics mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61. . Veronique 61M 61M/93 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). FU194 GESAIR, Ionosphere + Biology mission.

• 1971 June 12 19:44 - GESAIR Biological/Geophysics mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61. . Veronique 61M 61M/94 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 210 km (130 mi). FU194 GESAIR, Ionosphere + Biology mission.

• 1971 September 13 - CNES C133 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure 1 C133 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

• 1971 September 14 04:20 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Dauphin. Dauphin DA005 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).

• 1971 September 19 22:00 - CNES C146 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure 1 C146 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

• 1971 September 19 21:56 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.348GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 125 km (77 mi).

• 1971 September 19 22:00 - CNES C132 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure 1 C132 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

• 1971 September 20 14:45 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.350GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi).

• 1971 September 20 09:30 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.352GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).

• 1971 September 20 19:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.353GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

• 1971 September 20 06:15 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.354GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 115 km (71 mi).

• 1971 September 20 03:30 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.349GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 122 km (75 mi).

• 1971 September 21 04:50 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.356GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 114 km (70 mi).

• 1971 September 21 09:14 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.357GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi).

• 1971 September 21 23:40 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.360GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

• 1971 September 21 14:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.358GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi).

• 1971 September 21 00:05 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.355GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).

• 1971 September 21 18:40 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.359GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 116 km (72 mi).

• 1971 September 22 03:50 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.351GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 118 km (73 mi).

• 1971 October 16 - Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E007 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 205 km (127 mi).

• 1971 October 18 14:00 - CNES C154/ISRO 5.13? Recovery Test mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure C154 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 150 km (90 mi).

• 1971 November 5 13:00 - Europa F-11 / STV 4 Launch Vehicle: Europa. Structural failure of third stage. Guidance signals were reversed.. Europa II LC: CECLES. Apogee: 27 km (16 mi).

• 1971 December 5 16:20 - D-2A Polaire Launch Vehicle: Diamant B. Second stage failed.. Diamant B No. 4 LC: Diamant.

• 1971 December 16 19:57 - CISASPE Ionosphere mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61. . Veronique 61M 61M/92 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 227 km (141 mi). FU208 CISASPE, Ionosphere (active sounding) mission.

• 1972 - Test mission? Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E008? LC: ALFS. Apogee: 480 km (290 mi).

• 1972 - Test mission? Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E009? LC: ALFS. Apogee: 480 km (290 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 - Aeronomy mission? Launch Vehicle: Skua. LC: ALFS. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi).

• 1973 April 17 10:30 - SUV Solar Extreme ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61. . Veronique 61M 61M/95 LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). FU200 3SUV, UV solar astronomy / Ptr mission.

• 1973 May 21 - Castor (D 5A) Launch Vehicle: Diamant B. Failure - fairing did not jettison.. Diamant B No. 5 LC: Diamant.

• 1974 January 19 - Test mission? Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E010? LC: ALFS. Apogee: 220 km (130 mi).

• 1974 March 19 21:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1974 March 19 15:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 73 km (45 mi).

• 1974 March 19 22:20 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1974 March 19 18:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1974 March 20 09:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 67 km (41 mi).

• 1974 March 20 06:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1974 March 20 15:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 77 km (47 mi).

• 1974 March 20 00:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 76 km (47 mi).

• 1974 March 20 03:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 74 km (45 mi).

• 1974 March 20 12:00 - Diurnal aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1974 March 21 21:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Arcas. Failure. Super Arcas NASA 15.123GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi).

• 1974 March 21 09:31 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.420GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 89 km (55 mi).

• 1974 March 21 06:45 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.411GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 83 km (51 mi).

• 1974 March 22 14:45 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Arcas. Super Arcas NASA 15.124GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 89 km (55 mi).

• 1974 March 22 09:31 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.422GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 121 km (75 mi).

• 1974 March 22 06:45 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Nike-Cajun. Nike Cajun NASA 10.421GM LC: ALFS. Apogee: 119 km (73 mi).

• 1974 September 12 - NO-II-2 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure 2C (ESRO) C99/2 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

• 1974 September 12 - NO-II-1 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure 2C (ESRO) C99/1 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

• 1974 September 13 - NO-II-3 Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Centaure. Centaure 2C (ESRO) C99/3 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi).

• 1974 November 19 18:10 - Solar Ultraviolet mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E011? LC: ALFS. Apogee: 220 km (130 mi).

• 1975 February 6 16:35 - Starlette Launch Vehicle: Diamant BP.4. Diamant BP.4 No. 1 LC: Diamant. Apogee: 1,108 km (688 mi). Geodesic satellite.

• 1975 May 17 10:32 - Pollux Launch Vehicle: Diamant BP.4. Diamant BP.4 No. 2 LC: Diamant. Apogee: 1,256 km (780 mi). D5A: Weight 36 kg. Testing in space of a hydrazine catalytic decomposition micropropulsion unit. Responsible organization: Societe Europeene de Propulsion. D5B: Weight 76 kg. Testing in space of the CACTUS accelerometer (ultrasensitive triaxial capacitive accelerometric sensor). Responsible organization: ONERA, Chatillon-sous-Berneux, France.

• 1975 May 31 - FAUST Ultraviolet Astronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Veronique 61. . Veronique 61M LC: ALFS V. Apogee: 172 km (106 mi). FU216 FAUST, UV astronomy / Stab mission.

• 1975 September 27 08:37 - Aura Launch Vehicle: Diamant BP.4. Diamant BP.4 No. 3 LC: Diamant. Apogee: 697 km (433 mi). Solar UV radiation experiments. Study of solar and stellar ultraviolet radiation. 1. Spectral analysis of small and large sources located close to the plane of the ecliptic. Responsible organization: Laboratoire d'Astronomie Spatiale, Traverse du Siphon, 13000- Marseille (France). 2. St udy of solar ultraviolet radiation and its absorption by the earth's atmosphere. Responsible organization: Laboratoire de Physique Stellaire et Planetaire, Meudon, France. Weight 106.6 kg.

• 1978 Mar - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Dauphin. Dauphin DA006 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi).

• 1978 Nov - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E015 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 480 km (290 mi).

• 1979 Feb - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E016 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 480 km (290 mi).

• 1979 June 13 - Test mission Launch Vehicle: Eridan. Eridan E017 LC: ALFS. Apogee: 480 km (290 mi).

• 1979 December 24 17:14 - CAT 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 L01 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 14,047 km (8,728 mi). Launch vehicle test. Technological Capsule (CAT). ESA registration number: ESA/79/2. Principal mission of the technological capsule (with ballast), which was equipped with batteries having a lifetime of approximately 8 orbits, was to transmit back to earth technological data on the first developmental flight L01 of the ARIANE launch vehicle. When the batteries were exhausted, the capsule ended its radio transmissions, and it is now inoperative but still in orbit.

• 1980 May 23 14:29 - Firewheel Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Stage 1 combustion instability.. Ariane 1 L02 LC: ELA1.

• 1981 June 19 12:32 - Meteosat 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 L03 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 36,329 km (22,573 mi). Meteosat 2 is a geostationary meteorological satellite, operating within the world wide network of the World Weather Watch of WMO. Its main missions are: Imaging in the visible, IR and water vapour region of the spectrum; data reception from so-called dat a collection platforms (DCPs); data distribution to meteorological services and other interested parties (research institutes etc). Launch time 1233:03 UT. Geostationary position 0 deg E. Designator ESA/81/03. As of 3 September 2001 located at 58.52 deg W drifting at 5.577 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 125.67W drifting at 5.583W degrees per day.

• 1981 December 20 01:29 - MARECS 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 L04 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 37,858 km (23,523 mi). MARECS-A was a geostationary maritime communications satellite, which formed part of INMARSAT's world-wide maritime communications satellite network. MARECS-A moved to a new position on the geostationary orbit. Old position: 334E. New position: 22.5 E. The Marecs satellites were members of Inmarsat's first generation global maritime communications network. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 26 deg W in 1982-1986; 178 deg E in 1986-1991; 20 deg E in 1991-1992; 22 deg E in 1992-1996 As of 1 September 2001 located at 11.08 deg W drifting at 18.839 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 168.28W drifting at 18.837W degrees per day.

• 1982 September 9 02:12 - MARECS B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Stage 3 turbopump.. Ariane 1 L5 LC: ELA1. Marecs B intended for maritime communications, planned for lease to Inmarsat; launched with Sirio 2. Geosynch orbit.

• 1983 June 16 11:59 - Eutelsat 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 L6 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 36,246 km (22,522 mi). Designator ESA/83/4. Launch time 1159 GMT. Launch agency ESA. Geostationary position 10+/- 0.1 deg E. EUTELSAT 1 is a regional geostationary telecommunication Satellite for European countries. It is operated by the EUTELSAT organization. Frequency plan: 1 36-138 MHz (S-E). 148-149.9 MHz (E-S). 10.7-11.7 GHz (S-E). 14-14.5 GHz (E-S). Positions: Document Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 10 deg E in 1983; 13 deg E in 1983-1989; 16 deg E in 1989-1991; 25 deg E in 1992-1993; 48E1993-1996; 36 deg E in 1996 As of 31 August 2001 located at 12.27 deg W drifting at 5.043 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 109.78W drifting at 5.059W degrees per day.

• 1983 October 19 00:45 - Intelsat 5 F-7 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 L7 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,972 km (22,351 mi). Ariane third stage. Launched by European Space Agency. Launch time 0045:36 GMT. Launched spacecraft Intelsat V F7. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 60 deg E in 1984-1985; 66 deg E in 1985-1991; 57 deg E in 1991-1995; 47 deg E in 1995-1996 As of 28 August 2001 located at 140.34 deg E drifting at 2.062 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 88.83W drifting at 2.097W degrees per day.

• 1984 March 5 00:50 - Intelsat 5 F-8 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 L8 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 36,755 km (22,838 mi). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg W in 1984-1985; 180 deg E in 1985-1994 As of 28 August 2001 located at 164.20 deg W drifting at 10.735 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 110.10E drifting at 10.740W degrees per day.

• 1984 May 23 01:33 - Spacenet F1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 V9 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,897 km (22,305 mi). Stationed at 120 deg W. C, Ku band communications satellite. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 120 deg W in 1984-1993; 115 deg E in 1993-on. As of 2 September 2001 located at 165.12 deg E drifting at 0.985 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 109.23W drifting at 1.077W degrees per day.

• 1984 August 4 13:32 - Eutelsat 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V10 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 36,248 km (22,523 mi). Stationed at 7 deg E. Launch time 1333 UT. Geostationary orbit position 10 +/- 0.1; afterwards 7 +/- 0.1 deg E. EUTELSAT 2 is a regional geostationary satellite for European countries. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 10 deg E in 1984; 7 deg E in 1984-1990; 2 deg E in 1991; 1 deg E in 1992-1993 As of 5 September 2001 located at 62.27 deg W drifting at 5.317 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 57.69E drifting at 5.323W degrees per day.

• 1984 November 10 01:14 - Spacenet F2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V11 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,962 km (22,345 mi). Stationed at 68 deg W. C, Ku band communications satellite. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 69 deg W in 1984-1997; 115 deg E in 1997-1998 As of 5 September 2001 located at 65.20 deg E drifting at 1.887 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 64.76W drifting at 1.866W degrees per day.

• 1985 February 8 23:22 - Arabsat 1A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V12 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,753 km (22,215 mi). Stationed at 19 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg E in 1985-1991 As of 27 August 2001 located at 76.76 deg E drifting at 0.635 deg E per day. As of 2007 Feb 28 located at 87.85E drifting at 0.629E degrees per day.

• 1985 May 8 01:15 - GStar 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V13 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Stationed at 103 deg W. Ku band communications satellite. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 103 deg W in 1985-1996; 105 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 105.33 deg W drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 105.07W drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• 1985 July 2 11:23 - Giotto Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 V14 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,807 km (22,249 mi). Encountered comet Halley March 13, 1986. The Giotto mission was designed to study Comet P/Halley, and also studied Comet P/Grigg-Skjellerup during its extended mission. The spacecraft encountered Halley on March 13, 1986, at a distance of 0.89 AU from the sun and 0.98 AU from the Earth and an angle of 107 degrees from the comet-sun line. The actual closest approach was measured at 596 km. All experiments performed well and returned a wealth of new scientific results, of which perhaps the most important was the clear identification of the cometary nucleus. Fourteen seconds before closest approach, Giotto was hit by a `large' dust particle. The impact caused the spacecraft angular momentum vector to shift 0.9 degrees. Scientific data were received intermittently for the next 32 minutes. Some experiment sensors suffered damage during this 32-minute interval. Other experiments (the camera baffle and deflecting mirror, the dust detector sensors on the front sheet of the bumper shield, and most experiment apertures) were exposed to dust particles regardless of the accident and also suffered damage. Many of the sensors survived the encounter with little or no damage. Questionable or partially damaged sensors included the camera (later proved to not be functional) and one of the plasma analyzers (RPA). Inoperable experiments included the neutral and ion mass spectrometers and one sensor each on the dust detector and the other plasma analyzer (JPA). During the Giotto extended mission, the spacecraft successfully encountered Comet P/Grigg-Skjellerup on July 10, 1992. The closest approach was approximately 200 km. The heliocentric distance of the spacecraft was 1.01 AU, and the geocentric distance, 1.43 AU at the time of the encounter. The payload was switched-on in the evening of July 9. Eight experiments were operated and provided a surprising wealth of data. The Johnstone Plasma Analyser detected the first presence of cometary ions 600,000 km from the nucleus at 12 hours before the closest approach. The Dust Impact Detectors reported the first impact of a fairly large particle at 15:30:56. Bow shocks/waves and acceleration regions were also detected. After the P/Grigg-Skjellerup encounter operation were terminated on 23 July 1992. The spacecraft will fly by the Earth on 1 July 1999.

• 1985 September 12 23:26 - Eutelsat 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Geosynchronous orbit injection failure. Third stage igniter cartridge failure was determined to be the most likely cause.. Ariane 3 V15 LC: ELA1. Launched with Spacenet F3.

• 1986 February 22 01:44 - SPOT 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 1. Ariane 1 V16 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 826 km (513 mi). Remote sensing satellite. Registration 1986-1.B

• 1986 March 28 23:30 - GStar 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V17 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,943 km (22,333 mi). Ku band communications satellite. Stationed at 70 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg W in 1986-1992; 125 deg W in 1992-1997 As of 5 September 2001 located at 148.11 deg W drifting at 1.728 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 2.39W drifting at 1.699W degrees per day.

• 1986 May 31 00:53 - Intelsat-5A 14 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Third stage ignition failure. Destroyed by range safety.. Ariane 2 V18 LC: ELA1. Targeted for geosynch orbit.

• 1987 September 16 00:45 - Aussat A3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V19 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Australian domestic communications; 164 deg E. Communication satellite. Launching states: Australia and France. Longitude 164 deg E +/- 0.5. (orbit given is geocentric 42164 km, which corresponds to altitude 35787 km). The satellite mass was 655 kg at beginning of life for an Ariane mission only on-station after the apogee motor had fired and station acquisition fuel was expended. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 164 deg E in 1987-1993; 156 deg E in 1993-1995; 152 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 163.96 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 31.52E drifting at 0.011E degrees per day.

• 1987 November 21 02:19 - TVSAT 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 2 V20 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 36,151 km (22,463 mi). West German communications; solar panel failed to deploy making spacecraft unusable. Because of a malfunction of the solar generator, the satellite is being used only for technical tests. Geostationary position 19 W. Launch by Ariane-2 flight no. 20. Due to a malfunction of the solar generator, TV-SAT 1 was taken out of commission and sen t to a so-called parking orbit beyond the geostationary orbit. Semi-major axis 42485.605 km. Eccentricity 0.00116. Inc 0.716, Arg of perigee 216.66, RA 76.77, Mean anomaly 47.1 Mean drift -4.071 deg/day, E long 350.617, latitude -0.713. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 18 deg W in 1988 As of 5 September 2001 located at 76.53 deg W drifting at 4.886 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 169.62W drifting at 4.874W degrees per day.

• 1988 March 11 23:28 - Spacenet F3R Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V21 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,980 km (22,350 mi). US domestic communications; 87 deg W. C, Ku band communications satellite. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 87 deg W in 1988-1997; 83 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 2 September 2001 located at 107.85 deg W drifting at 2.220 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 153.60E drifting at 2.179W degrees per day.

• 1988 May 17 23:58 - Intelsat 5A F-13 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 2 V23 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Replaced Intelsat 5 F-3; 53 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg W in 1988-1995; 177 deg W in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 177.08 deg W drifting at 0.009 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 44.56W drifting at 6.109W degrees per day.

• 1988 June 15 11:19 - Meteosat 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V22 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 36,766 km (22,845 mi). Stationed at 0 deg. Meteosat P2 is a geostationary meteorological satellite operating within the world wide network of the World Weather Watch of the World Meteorological Organization. Its main missions are: Imaging in the visible, IR and water vapour region of the spectrum; data reception from so-called Data Collection Platforms (DCPs); data distribution to meteorological services and other interested parties (research institutes, etc). Geostationary position 0 deg E. ESA designator ESA/88/02. Launch time 1119:33 UT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg E in 1988-1989; 49 deg W in 1989; 4 deg W in 1990-1991; 49 deg W in 1991-1993; 75 deg W in 1993-1995; 70 deg W in 1995 As of 5 September 2001 located at 175.17 deg W drifting at 11.970 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 140.75W drifting at 11.975W degrees per day.

• 1988 July 21 23:12 - Insat-1C; Insat 1C Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V24 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,814 km (22,253 mi). Stationed at 93.5 deg E; also performed communications tasks. Operational multipurpose satellite for telecommunications, meteorological imaging and data relay, radio and television programme distribution and direct television broadcasting for community reception. Geosynchronous orbit longitude 93.5 +/- 0.1 deg east. Launch vehicle Ariane 3 launch vehicle of Arianespace, 24th flight of Ariane and 9th flight of the Ariane 3 version. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 93 deg E in 1988-1989 As of 4 September 2001 located at 58.51 deg E drifting at 0.073 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 80.89E drifting at 0.154W degrees per day.

• 1988 September 8 23:00 - GStar 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V25 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,806 km (22,248 mi). AKM malfunctioned, but orbit achieved using on-board propulsion system. Ku band communications satellite. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 93 deg W in 1989-1996; 105 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 105.39 deg W drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 105.31W drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1988 October 28 02:17 - TDF-1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 2 V26 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 36,129 km (22,449 mi). French DBS; 19 deg W. Direct broadcasting satellite. French registration: TDF-1, 1988-5-B. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg W in 1988-1996 As of 1 September 2001 located at 139.53 deg W drifting at 3.885 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 5 located at 16.35W drifting at 3.870W degrees per day.

• 1988 December 11 00:33 - Skynet 4B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V27 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,967 km (22,348 mi). British military communications; 1 deg W. Military communications. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1989-1990; 53 deg E in 1990-1998 As of 4 September 2001 located at 60.05 deg E drifting at 2.136 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 126.32E drifting at 2.116W degrees per day.

• 1989 January 27 01:21 - Intelsat 5A F-15 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 2 V28 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). International communications; 18 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 60 deg E in 1989-1992; 18 deg W in 1992-1996; 22 deg W in 1996-1997; 38 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 37.72 deg W drifting at 0.020 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 153.76E drifting at 4.192W degrees per day.

• 1989 March 6 23:29 - JCSAT 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V29 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 36,018 km (22,380 mi). Japanese domestic communications; 150 deg E. Domestic communication. Launching states: Japan, France, USA. Launch vehicle Ariane 29 (Ariane IV). Launching organization ARIANE SPACE. Launch time 1129 GMT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 150 deg E in 1989-1997; 148 deg E in 1997; 111 deg E in 1998 As of 31 August 2001 located at 19.12 deg E drifting at 2.653 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 63.05E drifting at 2.678W degrees per day.

• 1989 April 2 02:28 - TELE-X Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 2 V30 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 36,128 km (22,448 mi). TV, business communications for Nordic countries; 5 deg E. High power telecommunications satellite with a dual mission; direct TV broadcasting and data communications. Four active transponders with two redundant; power output 200 W per transponder. Coverage area - East Nordic coverage zone as defined by ITU (WARC -77). Mission period estimated to be 6 to 8 years. Position 5 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 5 deg E in 1989-1998 As of 28 August 2001 located at 138.62 deg W drifting at 3.929 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 132.37W drifting at 3.933W degrees per day.

• 1989 June 5 22:37 - Superbird A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V31 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,944 km (22,334 mi). Japanese domestic business communications; 158 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 158 deg E in 1989-1990 As of 6 September 2001 located at 41.59 deg E drifting at 1.921 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 166.35W drifting at 1.878W degrees per day.

• 1989 July 12 00:14 - Olympus-1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Ariane 3 V32 LC: ELA1. Apogee: 35,817 km (22,255 mi). Commsat technology demonstration;19 deg W. Olympus-1 is a multi-payload communications satellite for direct TV broadcast in the bands of the 1977 Geneva Plan of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) (including a national beam to Italy) plus communication transponde rs in the 14/12 GHz, 2nd 30/20 GHz bands. The latter are also used for a data relay experiment with ESA's EURECA satellite. Position on geostationary orbit 341 deg E. Launch time 0014:00 UT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg W in 1989-1991; 19 deg W in 1991-1993 As of 4 September 2001 located at 82.22 deg E drifting at 3.961 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 118.63E drifting at 3.947E degrees per day.

• 1989 August 8 23:25 - TVSAT 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V33 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,951 km (22,338 mi). TV services to West Germany; 19 deg W. Direct broadcasting satellite. Position 19 deg W. Ariane 4, flight no 33. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg W in 1989-1995; 1 deg W in 1995-1998; 12 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 31 August 2001 located at 29.41 deg W drifting at 1.503 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 150.44E drifting at 1.494W degrees per day.

• 1989 October 27 23:05 - Intelsat 6A F-2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V34 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Stationed at 24.5 deg E. At the time, the Intelsat 6 series were the largest commercial spacecraft ever built. The series were also the first commercial satellites to employ Satellite Switched/Time Division Multiple Access (SS/TDMA) techniques. Spacecraft: Based on Hughes 393 bus. Spin stabilised with despun antenna. Hydrazine propulsion system. Passive thermal control. Telescoping dual-cylinder structure with deployed antennas. Body mounted solar cells generate 2250 W (EOL). Solar drums are each about 6m tall. Payload: 38 (plus 12 backup) C-Band and 10 (plus 4 backup) Ku-Band transponders.120,000 telephone calls and 3 colour TV broadcasts simultaneously. SS/TDMA (Satellite-Switched Time Division Multiple Access) techniques used. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 37 deg W in 1989-1990; 24 deg W in 1990-1991; 55 deg E in 1991; 60 deg E in 1992; 63 deg E in 1992-1997; 62 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 29 August 2001 located at 62.02 deg E drifting at 0.018 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 150.55E drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1990 January 22 01:35 - SPOT 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 4. Ariane 40 V35 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 826 km (513 mi). Remote sensing. Earth observation satellite. Registration 1990-1-B.

• 1990 February 22 23:17 - Superbird B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Exploded 100 seconds after liftoff due to water line blockage. This was caused by a piece of cloth found in the first stage Viking engine water cooling system.. Ariane 44L V36 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 9.00 km (5.50 mi). Launched with BS-2X. Targeted for Geosynch orbit.

• 1990 July 24 22:25 - TDF 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V37 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 36,435 km (22,639 mi). French DBS; 19 deg W. Direct broadcasting satellite. Registration 1990-2-B. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg W in 1990-1997; 36 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 62.59 deg E drifting at 6.006 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 98.15W drifting at 5.991W degrees per day.

• 1990 August 30 22:46 - Skynet 4C Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V38 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). UK military communications; 1 deg W. United Kingdom military communications satellite. Owner/operator: UK Ministry of Defence. Expected operational life 10 years. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1990-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 0.97 deg W drifting at 0.002 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 1.27W drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.

• 1990 October 12 22:58 - SBS 6 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V39 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Stationed at 99 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 97 deg W in 1990; 99 deg W in 1991-1994; 95 deg W in 1994-1995; 74 deg W in 1995-1999 As of 1 September 2001 located at 74.05 deg W drifting at 0.010 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 74.06W drifting at 0.011W degrees per day.

• 1990 November 20 23:11 - Satcom C1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V40 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Stationed at 137 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 137 deg W in 1990-1991; 139 deg W in 1991; 137 deg W in 1991-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 78.98 deg W drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 151.83E drifting at 3.912W degrees per day.

• 1991 January 15 23:10 - Italsat 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V41 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,919 km (22,318 mi). Experimental commsat; 13.2 deg E. ITALSAT is a body stabilized geostationary satellite and it is proposed to provide pre-operational domestic telecommunications services on the 20/30 GHz bands. Geographic longitude 13.2 deg E. Longitudinal tolerance +/- 0.1 deg. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 13 deg E in 1991-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 144.14 deg E drifting at 1.021 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 86.26E drifting at 1.156W degrees per day.

• 1991 March 2 23:36 - Astra 1B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V42 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Stationed at 19.2 deg E; European coverage. Astra 1B provides TV coverage to Western Europe. The satellite is owned and operated by Société Europíenne des Satellites (SES), a private company formed in 1985. Astra 1B is the second in a network of four satellites. SES acquired Astra 1B from DBS Crimson Satellite Associates while still under construction by GE Astro Space (as Satcom K3). Astra 1B is colocated with Astra 1A, and doubled the number of channels provided by the Astra network. Spacecraft: GE 5000 platform.3-axis stabilisation with momentum wheels, magnetic torquers, Earth sensors and 20 blowdown monopropellant hydrazine thrusters. Solar arrays provide 4850 W BOL, 4 50 Ahr NiH batteries. GEO insertion provided by 2 500N bipropellant motors. Payload: 16 Ku-band transponders (with six spares) Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg E in 1991-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 19.20 deg E drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 92.40W drifting at 6.354W degrees per day.

• 1991 April 4 23:33 - Anik E2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V43 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Canadian communications; 107.3 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 107 deg W in 1991-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 111.10 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 123.15E drifting at 4.124W degrees per day.

• 1991 July 17 01:46 - ERS 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 4. Ariane 40 V44 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 775 km (481 mi). Microwave, IR imaging of oceans, ice and land; SAR. ERS-1 was an Earth exploration satellite, using active and passive sensors for oceanography etc. Frequency plan: 2048.85/2225 MHz (TTC), 7225.2960/8489 MHz (PRARE), 8040, 8140 MHz (data transmission). Launch time 0146:31 UT. Designator ESA/91/02.

• 1991 August 14 23:15 - Intelsat 6 F-5 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V45 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,788 km (22,237 mi). International communications; 14.5 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 24 deg W in 1991-1997; 27 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 2 September 2001 located at 27.48 deg W drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 174.03E drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.

• 1991 September 26 23:43 - Anik E1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V46 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Stationed at 111.1 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 111 deg W in 1991-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 118.68 deg W drifting at 0.000 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 31.37E drifting at 3.973W degrees per day.

• 1991 October 29 23:08 - Intelsat 6A F-1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V47 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). International communications; 27.5 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 27 deg W in 1992-1997; 34 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 2 September 2001 located at 34.48 deg W drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 63.65E drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.

• 1991 December 16 23:19 - Telecom 2A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V48 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). French communications; 3 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 3 deg E in 1992; 8 deg W in 1992-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 8.05 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 111.59E drifting at 4.763W degrees per day.

• 1992 February 26 23:58 - Superbird B1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V49 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 36,206 km (22,497 mi). Stationed at 162 deg E. Domestic communications. Launching organization Arianespace. Launch time 2358 GMT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 162 deg E in 1992-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 19.90 deg W drifting at 4.382 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 164.51E drifting at 4.378W degrees per day.

• 1992 April 15 23:25 - Telecom 2B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L+ V50 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,804 km (22,247 mi). Stationed at 3 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 5 deg W in 1992-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 24.98 deg E drifting at 0.634 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 77.10W drifting at 2.683W degrees per day.

• 1992 July 9 22:42 - Insat-2A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V51 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,839 km (22,269 mi). Stationed at 74 deg E; also performed communications functions. INSAT-2A is a multi-purpose satellite, and it will provide the following services: Domestic long-distance telecommunications, meteorological earth observation and data collection services, direct satellite TV broadcasting to community TV receivers in rura l and remote areas, radio and TV progamme distribution, and Satellite Aided Search and Rescue services. Geostationary longitude 74 +/0 0.1 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 74 deg E in 1992-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 48.18 deg E drifting at 0.010 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 5 located at 25.76W drifting at 0.201W degrees per day.

• 1992 August 10 23:08 - Topex/Poseidon Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V52 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 1,344 km (835 mi). Ocean sensing, mapping. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

• 1992 September 10 23:04 - Hispasat 1A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP+ V53 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Stationed at 30 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 30 deg W in 1992-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 29.99 deg W drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 83.37E drifting at 3.458W degrees per day.

• 1992 October 28 00:15 - Galaxy 7 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P+ V54 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,968 km (22,349 mi). Geostationary at 91 deg W. The Galaxy 7 satellite failed on November 22, 2000, the third such satellite to fall victim to a design flaw in the on-board computers. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 91 deg W in 1992-1999 As of 1 September 2001 located at 32.55 deg E drifting at 2.022 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 141.47W drifting at 2.077W degrees per day.

• 1992 December 1 22:48 - Superbird A1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P+ V55 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Stationed at 158 deg E. Domestic communications. Launching states: Japan and France. Launch time 2248 GMT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 158 deg E in 1993-1999 As of 31 August 2001 located at 157.95 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 158.03E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• 1993 May 12 00:56 - Astra 1C Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V56 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Stationed at 1.2 deg E. TV distribution services to Western Europe and the Canary Islands under franchise from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Contracted and controlled by the private company formed in 1985 called Société Europíenne des Satellites (SES). This is the third in a series of 4 medium power satellites, and will act primarily as Astra 1A's backup. Spacecraft: HS-601 platform.3-axis unified ARC 22 N and one Marquardt 490 N bipropellant thrusters, Sun and Barnes Earth sensors and two 61 Nms 2-axis gimballed momentum bias wheels.1658 kg nitrogen tetroxide & MMH in four spheres. Spin-stabilised in transfer orbit. Twin solar wings of three 2.16 x 2.54 m panels carrying large area silicon cells on Kevlar substrate to satisfy 3.3 kW requirement. Eclipse protection provided by Nickel hydrogen batteries. Payload: 18 eclipse protected transponders, plus six spares with 63W TWTA 10.95-11.200 Ghz down Ku-band European beams in 250 Mhz band adjacent (below) to Astra 1A, 26 Mhz bandwidth, eirp 50 dBW min, orthogonal polarisation, operating in the FSS range Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg E in 1993-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 19.21 deg E drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 4.54E drifting at 0.051E degrees per day.

• 1993 June 25 00:18 - Galaxy 4 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P+ V57 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,829 km (22,263 mi). Geostationary at 99 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 99 deg W in 1993-1998 As of 6 September 2001 located at 76.26 deg E drifting at 0.041 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 77.40E drifting at 0.010E degrees per day.

• 1993 July 22 22:58 - Hispasat-1B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V58 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Stationed at 30 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 30 deg W in 1993-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 30.13 deg W drifting at 0.024 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 157.75E drifting at 1.953W degrees per day.

• 1993 September 26 01:45 - SPOT 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 4. Ariane 40 V59 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Remote sensing.

• 1993 October 22 06:46 - Intelsat 701 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V60 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). International communications. The Intelsat 7 and 7A series were nearly identical except for an increase in the number of Ku-band transponders in the 7A series. Spacecraft: 3-axis stabilised. Hydrazine propulsion system. Two large solar panels with 1-axis articulation provide 3900W BOL. Payload: 7: 26 C-Band and 10 Ku-Band transponders.18,000 telephone calls and 3 colour TV broadcasts simultaneously. Or up to 90,000 telephone circuits using digital circuit multiplication equipment (DCME).7A: 26 C-Band and 14 Ku-Band transponders.22,500 telephone calls and 3 colour TV broadcasts simultaneously. Or up to 112,500 telephone circuits using DCME. Three independently steerable, high-powered, Ku-band spot beams. Independently steerable C-band spot beam coverage. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 121 deg E in 1993; 174 deg E in 1994-1997; 180 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 179.91 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 179.97W drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.

• 1993 November 20 01:17 - Solidaridad 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V61 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,811 km (22,251 mi). Stationed at 109.2 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 109 deg W in 1993-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 101.71 deg W drifting at 0.010 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 102.54W drifting at 0.027W degrees per day.

• 1993 December 18 01:27 - DBS 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V62 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Stationed at 101.2 deg W. DirecTV, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hughes Communications and offers commercial satellite television service to the US. The orbital part of the system consists of 3 Hughes-built geosynchronous satellites. Broadcast services began in mid-1994. Competitors include the similar Primestar and USSB services, as well as older C-band satellite services and cable TV companies. Spacecraft: DirecTV uses the Hughes HS-601 spacecraft design.3-Axis stabilised, zero momentum biased control system. Two solar arrays (4 panels each side) span 31 meters and generate 4.3 kW power. Payload: The 2.5 m diameter graphite transmit reflector performs beam shaping.16 x 120 watt Ka-Band (12.2 - 12.7 GHz) transponders with 48-53 dBw EIRP and 24 MHz bandwidth. Power is higher in areas with heavy rain. The high power combined with Reed Solomon error correction coding allow the use of small 18 inch antennas by customers.
  Financial/Operational:
  FCC approved Direct Broadcast Satellites in 1986. By 1997 DirecTV had 2.6 million of 5.0 million US direct broadcast television subscribers. Direct Broadcast Satellites cost $ 175 million each and have 150 video channels. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 101 deg W in 1994-1999; 110 deg W in 1999-2000 As of 6 September 2001 located at 109.78 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 72.51W drifting at 0.011W degrees per day.

• 1994 January 24 21:37 - Eutelsat II F5 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Stage 3 turbopump overheated.. Ariane 44LP V63 LC: ELA2. Launched with Turksat 1.

• 1994 June 17 07:07 - Intelsat 702 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V64 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Stationed at 1.03 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 38 deg W in 1994; 1 deg W in 1994-1996; 177 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 175.99 deg E drifting at 0.001 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 54.82E drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.

• 1994 July 8 23:05 - Panamsat 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V65 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Stationed at 168.97 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 169 deg E in 1994-1999 As of 1 September 2001 located at 169.03 deg E drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 168.96E drifting at 0.005W degrees per day.

• 1994 August 10 23:05 - Brasilsat B1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V66 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). 28 C-band transponders, 1 X-band transponder (military). Stationed at 70.05 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 70 deg W in 1994-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 70.00 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 71.44W drifting at 0.304W degrees per day.

• 1994 September 9 00:29 - Telstar 402 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V67 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 19,340 km (12,010 mi).

• 1994 October 8 01:07 - Solidaridad 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V68 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). 18 C-Band transponders. Stationed at 113.06 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 113 deg W in 1994-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 112.96 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 114.89W drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.

• 1994 November 1 00:37 - Astra 1D Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V69 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). European DBS and radio. Stationed at 19.29 deg E. TV distribution services to Western Europe and the Canary Islands under franchise from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Contracted and controlled by the private company formed in 1985 called Société Europíenne des Satellites (SES). This is the last in a series of 4 medium power satellites, and will act primarily as Astra 1B and 1C's backup. It will also carry four 12.5 Ghz BSS transponders that can be combined for HDTV. Spacecraft: HS-601 platform.3-axis unified ARC 22 N and one Marquardt 490 N bipropellant thrusters, Sun and Barnes Earth sensors and two 61 Nms 2-axis gimballed momentum bias wheels.1658 kg nitrogen tetroxide & MMH in four spheres. Spin-stabilised in transfer orbit. Twin solar wings of three 2.16 x 2.54 m panels carrying large area silicon cells on Kevlar substrate to satisfy 3.3 kW requirement. Eclipse protection provided by Nickel hydrogen batteries. Payload: 18 eclipse protected transponders, plus six spares with 63W TWTA 10.75-10.95 Ghz FSS (&12.5 Ghz BSS) down Ku-band European beams in 250 Mhz band adjacent (below) to Astra 1C, 26 Mhz bandwidth, eirp 50 dBW min, orthogonal polarisation, operating in the FSS range Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg E in 1995-1998; 28 deg E in 1998; 19 deg E in 1998-1999; 28 deg E in 2000.- As of 3 September 2001 located at 24.18 deg E drifting at 0.006 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 23.50E drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• 1994 December 1 22:57 - Panamsat 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Stage 3 gas generator.. Ariane 42P V70 LC: ELA2.

• 1995 March 28 23:14 - Brasilsat B2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP+ V71 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Stationed at 65.1 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 65 deg W in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 65.06 deg W drifting at 0.022 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 65.05W drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.

• 1995 April 21 01:44 - ERS 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 4. Ariane 40+ V72 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 785 km (487 mi). European Remote Sensing; carried SAR; ocean, land, ice, and atmospheric observations.

• 1995 May 17 06:34 - Intelsat 706 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V73 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Stationed at 53.1 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg W in 1995-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 52.93 deg W drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 4 located at 50.24E drifting at 0.003E degrees per day.

• 1995 June 10 00:24 - DBS 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V74 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Commercial TV. Stationed at 101.0 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 101 deg W in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 100.90 deg W drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 82.00W drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1995 July 7 16:23 - Helios 1A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 4. Ariane 40 V75 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 682 km (423 mi).

• 1995 August 3 22:58 - Panamsat 4 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L+ V76 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). 16 C-Band, 24 Ku-Band transponders; 320 radio + 120 DirecTV channels. Stationed at 68.5 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 68 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 72.03 deg E drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 72.00E drifting at 0.003W degrees per day.

• 1995 August 29 06:41 - N-Star a Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V77 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Stationed at 131.9 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 132 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 1 September 2001 located at 131.99 deg E drifting at 0.017 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 25.96E drifting at 4.123W degrees per day.

• 1995 September 24 00:06 - Telstar 402R Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L+ V78 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Direct TV for continental US. Stationed at 89.0 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 89 deg W in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 88.96 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. The Telstar 4 (former Telstar 402R) satellite suffered a power failure on September 19 2003 and was a total loss. It was part of AT&T's satellite fleet, later sold to Loral Skynet by 2003 in the process of being sold to Intelsat. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 116.15W drifting at 0.086W degrees per day.

• 1995 October 19 00:38 - Astra 1E Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V79 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Western Europe digital TV; 18 Ku-band transponders. Stationed at 19.2 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 19.16 deg E drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 19.18E drifting at 0.019W degrees per day.

• 1995 November 17 01:20 - ISO Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V80 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 70,504 km (43,809 mi). Infrared Space Observatory; IR astrophysics. As of 6 September 2001 located at 168.62 deg E drifting at 5.004 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 6 located at 167.18W drifting at 5.668E degrees per day.

• 1995 November 20 14:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Super Loki DLR KO-SL-218 Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1995 November 23 14:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Super Loki DLR KO-SL-219 Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1995 December 6 23:23 - Telecom 2C Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V81 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Stationed at 1.1 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 3 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 5.05 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 3.02E drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.

• 1996 January 12 23:10 - Panamsat 3R Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V82 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Geostationary at 43.0W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 43 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 42.97 deg W drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 42.99W drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.

• 1996 February 5 07:19 - N-STAR b Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V83 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Geostationary at 128.9E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 136 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 1 September 2001 located at 136.01 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 136.04E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.

• 1996 March 14 07:11 - Intelsat 707 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V84 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). GEO. 26 C-band, 14 K-band transponders. Geostationary at 0.9W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 0.97 deg W drifting at 0.001 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 53.03W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• 1996 April 20 22:36 - M-SAT 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V85 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Geostationary at 106.5W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 106 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 106.55 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 106.48W drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1996 May 16 01:56 - Palapa C2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V86 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). 34 transponders; Geostationary at 113.0E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 113 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 112.95 deg E drifting at 0.018 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 112.97E drifting at 0.011W degrees per day.

• 1996 June 4 12:34 - Cluster F1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Vehicle went off course and was destroyed by range safety. Reuse of flight software from Ariane 4 was the cause (faulty program logic that only took effect on Ariane 5 launch trajectory).. Ariane 5G V88 (501) LC: ELA3. The Cluster satellites were a series of sophisticated earth-observation platforms that were to be launched aboard the first Ariane 5. The explosion of the booster led to a costly setback for European space science. There were no back-up spacecraft. Some instruments may fly on other future satellites.

• 1996 June 15 06:55 - Intelsat 709 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V87 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). 36 transponders Geostationary at 50.0W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 50 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 49.96 deg W drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 85.17E drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1996 July 9 22:24 - Arabsat 2A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V89 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Geostationary at 26.0E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 26 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 29 August 2001 located at 25.92 deg E drifting at 0.000 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 166.53W drifting at 3.749W degrees per day.

• 1996 August 8 22:49 - Italsat F2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V90 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 13 deg E in 1996-1998; 16 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 16.38 deg E drifting at 0.010 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 94.10W drifting at 1.863E degrees per day.

• 1996 September 11 00:00 - Echostar 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V91 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Geostationary at 119.0W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 119 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 119.39 deg W drifting at 0.009 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 147.94W drifting at 0.004E degrees per day.

• 1996 November 13 22:40 - Arabsat 2B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V92 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,788 km (22,237 mi). Geostationary at 21.9E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 30 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 30.46 deg E drifting at 0.009 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 30.52E drifting at 0.005E degrees per day.

• 1997 January 30 22:04 - GE 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V93 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 84.9W Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 85 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 84.89 deg W drifting at 0.007 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 85.05W drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1997 March 1 01:07 - Intelsat 801 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V94 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 64.2E. The Intelsat 8 and 8A vehicles are the latest in the Intelsat satellite series. Spacecraft: 3-axis stabilised. Two large solar panels with 1-axis articulation. Payload: 38 C-Band and 6 Ku-Band transponders.22,000 telephone calls and 3 colour TV broadcasts simultaneously. Or up to 112,500 telephone circuits using digital circuit multiplication equipment (DCME). Two independently steerable Ku-band spot beams. Interconnected operation between C- and Ku-bands.
  Financial/Operational:
  Lockheed/General Electric contract October 16 1992 $ 165 million for 2 units- potential 5 units. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 47 deg E in 1997; 62 deg E in 1997; 64 deg E in 1997-1998; 31 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 31.47 deg W drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 5 located at 31.46W drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• 1997 April 16 23:08 - Thaicom 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V95 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 78.5E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 78 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 78.53 deg E drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 111.51W drifting at 5.525W degrees per day.

• 1997 June 3 23:20 - Inmarsat 3 F4 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V97 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 54.0W Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 54 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 53.97 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 142.07W drifting at 0.000E degrees per day.

• 1997 June 25 23:44 - Intelsat 802 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V96 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 174.1E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 174 deg E in 1997-2000; 177 deg E in 2000. As of 1 September 2001 located at 174.00 deg E drifting at 0.001 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 32.91E drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.

• 1997 August 8 06:46 - Panamsat 6 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V98 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 43 deg W in 1997-2002. As of 2004 Oct 17 located at 96.68W drifting at 1.977W degrees per day.

• 1997 September 2 22:21 - Hot Bird 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V99 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,806 km (22,248 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 13.3E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 13 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 12.96 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 3.94E drifting at 0.003W degrees per day.

• 1997 September 23 23:58 - Intelsat 803 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V100 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Geosynchronous, 52 C-band and 12 Ku-band transponders. Stationed over 21 deg W in 1997-2001. Later assigned to Intelsat subsidiary New Skies, redesignated NSS 5, and moved to 183 deg E to connect North America with all major destinations in the Pacific Rim. As of 2007 Mar 7 located at 177.05W drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.

• 1997 October 30 - MAQSAT-H/TEAMSAT Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V101 (502) LC: ELA3. Apogee: 26,504 km (16,468 mi). Dummy communications satellite instrumented to report the actual payload bay environment during launch. It included the TEAMSAT technology experiment payload, developed by ESTEC

• 1997 October 30 15:24 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Super Loki DLR KO-SL-227 Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1997 October 30 17:00 - Aeronomy mission Launch Vehicle: Super Loki. Super Loki DLR KO-SL-228 Apogee: 75 km (46 mi).

• 1997 November 12 21:48 - Sirius 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V102 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 4.8E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 5 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 4.81 deg E drifting at 0.001 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 4.77E drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1997 December 2 22:52 - JCSAT 5 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V103 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 139.4E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 150 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 150.00 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 127.98E drifting at 0.014W degrees per day.

• 1997 December 22 00:16 - Intelsat 804 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V104 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Geosynchronous. Stationed over 47.0E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 64 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 64.18 deg E drifting at 0.001 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 9.51W drifting at 0.107E degrees per day.

• 1998 February 4 23:29 - Brasilsat B3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V105 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Geostationary at 84.0 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 84 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 84.03 deg W drifting at 0.009 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 84.07W drifting at 0.013W degrees per day.

• 1998 February 27 22:38 - Hot Bird 4 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V106 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Geostationary at 13.0 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 13 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 2 June 2001 located at 14.35 deg E drifting at 0.065 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 7.18W drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1998 March 24 01:46 - SPOT 4 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 4. Ariane 40 V107 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 826 km (513 mi). Developed by Matra Marconi Space/Toulouse for CNES, the satellite provided 10-m resolution images with a wide field of view. SPOT 4 also carried a wide field 'vegetation' imager and a laser communications experiment. Launch was by an Arianespace Ariane 40 rocket, the base Ariane 4 model with no strap-on boosters. The liquid hydrogen fuelled third stage of the Ariane 40 entered an 800 km sun-synchronous orbit together with SPOT 4.

• 1998 April 28 22:53 - Nilesat 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V108 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Egypt's first satellite. Geostationary at 7.0 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 7 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 6.95 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 7.00W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• 1998 August 25 23:07 - ST-1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V109 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,804 km (22,247 mi). Singapore-Taiwan-1 Matra Marconi Space Eurostar 2000 class satellite to provide communications for Singapore Telecom and Chunghwa Telecom of Taiwan. Geostationary at 88.0 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 88 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 88.04 deg E drifting at 0.009 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 88.05E drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• 1998 September 16 06:31 - Panamsat 7 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V110 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Geostationary at 68.7 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 68 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 6 September 2001 located at 68.68 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 68.67E drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.

• 1998 October 5 22:51 - Eutelsat W2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V111 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Geostationary at 16.0 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 16 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 16.17 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 16.01E drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• 1998 October 21 16:37 - Maqsat 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V112 (503) LC: ELA3. Apogee: 35,491 km (22,053 mi). Maqsat 3 was an instrumentation package used to monitor performance of the Ariane 5 booster. At T+12:43 the Speltra adapter cover separated revealing Maqsat-3. At T+15:14 the EPS stage Aestus engine ignited and burned until T+31:00. At this point on a normal mission the satellite would separate from the EPS, but to avoid creating space debris Maqsat remained attached to the EPS. The EPS/Maqsat-3 was placed in a 1027 km x 35863 km x 7.0 degree geostationary transfer orbit.

• 1998 October 28 22:15 - Afristar Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V113 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Afristar was the first WorldSpace satellite. Afristar was to broadcast digital radio over Africa and the Middle East. Small hand-held radios could pick up the 24 to 96 radio channels available on the three L-band beams. Dry mass of Afristar was 1205 kg; it carried 1534 kg of propellant at launch. Geostationary at 21.0 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 21 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 20.98 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 20.98E drifting at 0.010W degrees per day.

• 1998 December 6 00:43 - Satmex 5 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V114 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). The Ariane placed the Satmex 5 satellite into a 211km x 21516 km x 7.0 degree orbit from which the satellite was to use its on-board engine to reach geostationary orbit. Satmex 5 was operated by Satellites Mexicanos S.A. de C.V, which took over the Morelos constellation from Mexican Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes. Satmex 5 replaced Morelos 2 and carried the XIPS ion engine station-keeping system. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 116 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 116.79 deg W drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 116.81W drifting at 0.002W degrees per day.

• 1998 December 22 01:08 - PAS 6B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V115 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). The Ariane third stage placed the PAS 6B into a 228 km x 35717 km x 7.0 degree orbit. The satellite’s on board rocket system will move it into its final geostationary position over South America. PAS 6B will provide direct TV broadcasting service in replacement of PAS 6, a Loral satellite which had problems with its solar arrays. The new satellite had 32 Ku-band transponders. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 43 deg W in 1999. As of 3 September 2001 located at 43.17 deg W drifting at 0.020 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 43.11W drifting at 0.015W degrees per day.

• 1999 February 26 22:44 - Arabsat 3A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V116 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). The Arab League satellite had 20 Ku-band transponders and was to be stationed at 26 degrees East. Dry mass was 1200 kg. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 26 deg E in 1999. As of 29 August 2001 located at 25.93 deg E drifting at 0.007 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 25.89E drifting at 0.003E degrees per day.

• 1999 April 2 22:03 - Insat 2E Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V117 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). ISRO's Insat 2E was placed in geostationary transfer orbit. The Indian-built satellite carried a C and S band communications package. Stationed at 83 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 83 deg E in 1999. As of 3 September 2001 located at 82.90 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 82.93E drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• 1999 August 12 22:52 - Telkom 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V118 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). The launch vehicle delivered its H-10-3 third stage and the Telkom 1 payload into a 221 km x 35687 km x 7.0 degree geosynchronous transfer orbit 21 minutes after launch. Telkom 1 was owned by PT Telkomunikasi of Indonesia and was a successor to the Palapa series of satellites. Mass of Telkom 1 was 1700 kg in geosynchronous orbit after its on-board engine made the apogee burn. Stationed at 108 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 108 deg E in 1999. As of 3 September 2001 located at 107.98 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 107.98E drifting at 0.014W degrees per day.

• 1999 September 4 22:34 - Koreasat 3 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V120 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Geosynchronous communications satellite. Stationed at 112 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 112 deg E in 1999. As of 31 August 2001 located at 115.99 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 116.12E drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• 1999 September 25 06:29 - Telstar 7 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V121 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Telstar 7, owned by Loral Skynet, had 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders. Dry mass was 1537 kg. After placement in final geosynchronous orbit it provided communications for North America from a position at 129 degrees East longitude. Sold to Intelsat in March 2004 and renamed IA-7. The satellite had a power failure on November 28, 2004 and was briefly declared lost. Intelsat recovered control of the satellite by December 4. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 129.01W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• 1999 October 19 06:22 - Orion 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V122 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Satellite used for international communications; complement the Telstar satellites operated by Loral Skynet. Stationed at 15 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 15 deg W in 1999. As of 6 September 2001 located at 14.97 deg W drifting at 0.006 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 14.99W drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• 1999 November 13 22:54 - GE 4 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V123 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Provided C and Ku-band communications services for GE Americom, replacing Spacenet 4. Stationed at 101 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 74 deg W in 1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 101.12 deg W drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 101.02W drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 1999 December 3 16:22 - Helios 1B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 4. Ariane 40 V124 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 682 km (423 mi). French optical military reconnaisance satellite based on Spot 4. Taken out of service in mid-October 2004, when the orbit of the satellite was lowered to 637 x 640 km, taking it out of the path of Helios 1A and the Helios 2A that would be launched in December 2004.

• 1999 December 10 14:32 - XMM Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V119 (504) LC: ELA3. Apogee: 113,678 km (70,636 mi). ESA's X-ray Multi-Mirror space observatory was the biggest science satellite ever built in Europe. Complementary in characteristics to NASA's Chandra satellite, the spacecraft were expected to make major new astronomical discoveries.

• 1999 December 22 00:50 - Galaxy 11 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L-3 V125 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Communications satellite. Third Ariane launch within three weeks. First Hughes HS 702 bus satellite, for PanAmSat Corporation to expand video and telecommunications services to North America and Brazil. The 20-watt C-band transponders will be used primarily for cable television customers. The Ku-band payload offers two power levels: 140 watts for video distribution, and 75 watts for data networks and other general communications services. This gives Galaxy 11 a total payload of 64 active transponders. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 99 deg W in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 91.01 deg W drifting at 0.010 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 91.01W drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• 2000 January 25 01:04 - Galaxy 10R Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L-3 V126 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Geosynchronous communications satellite launched to supplement Panamsat's Galaxy cable TV distribution constellation. It carried Ku and C band transponders and was to be stationed at 127 deg W. A replacement for Galaxy 10, lost on the first Delta 3 launch failure. Stationed at 123 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 123 deg W in 2000. As of 3 September 2001 located at 122.99 deg W drifting at 0.002 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 123.03W drifting at 0.000E degrees per day.

• 2000 February 18 01:04 - Superbird 4 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP V127 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Provided geosynchronous communications services for the Space Communications Corporation of Japan. Carried 23 Ku-band and 6 Ka-band transponders, and was equipped with a Marquardt R4D apogee engine and XIPS ion propulsion stationkeeping system. Stationed at 162 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 162 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 162.01 deg E drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 161.98E drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 2000 March 21 23:28 - Asiastar Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V128 (505) LC: ELA3. Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Direct Radio Broadcasting satelllite. First night launch of Ariane 5. Worldspace's second digital radio satellite. Joined Afristar in orbit with a mission of providing radio broadcasting to the developing world. Stationed at 105 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 104.96 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 104.99E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.

• 2000 April 19 00:29 - Galaxy 4R Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V129 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Galaxy 4R carried 28 Ku-band and 28 C-band transponders. After insertion in a standard 219 x 32007 km x 7.0 deg geostationary transfer orbit, Galaxy 4R's R-4D apogee engine raised orbit to 35765 x 35792 km x 0.1 deg by April 27 and was over 67 deg W by late April. Final destination was 99 deg W. The Galaxy satellites provide US domestic telecommunications services. 4R replaces the original Galaxy 4H which failed in May 1998, putting pagers out of action across the USA. Stationed at 99 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 73 deg W in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 98.99 deg W drifting at 0.016 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 76.88W drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.

• 2000 August 17 23:16 - Brasilsat B-4 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP-3 V131 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Brasilsat B4 was a C-band geosynchronous communications satellite, replacing the 15-year-old Brasilsat A2 for the Brazilian communications company Embratel. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 75 deg W in 2000. As of 2 September 2001 located at 92.03 deg W drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 70.08W drifting at 0.020W degrees per day.

• 2000 September 6 22:33 - Eutelsat W1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V132 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). European Telecommunications Satellite Organization's Eutelsat W1 was launched into a geostationary transfer orbit, targetted for a final 10 deg E orbital position. The box-shaped 2.5 x 5.0 m satellite has two rectangular solar panel arrays spanning 31.7m and two dishes, a European beam and a steerable beam. The payload includes 28 Ku-band transponders. Stationed at 10 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg E in 2000. As of 1 September 2001 located at 9.92 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 10.05E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• 2000 September 14 22:54 - Astra 2B Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V130 506 LC: ELA3. Apogee: 35,804 km (22,247 mi). Direct Broadcasting satellite. Launch postponed from July 25. Astra 2B was an Astrium/Toulouse Eurostar 2000+ television broadcast satellite owned by the Luxembourg-based Societe Europeene de Satellites. The satellite was to be stationed at 28.2E to replace the German DFS Kopernikus. It carried 28 Ku-band transponders. By September 19 Astra 2B was in a 31,153 x 35,762 km x 0.3 deg orbit, approaching geosynchronous altitude. Stationed at 28 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 28 deg E in 2000. As of 20 August 2001 located at 28.50 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 28.15E drifting at 0.017W degrees per day.

• 2000 October 6 23:00 - N-SAT-110 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L-3 V133 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). N-SAT-110, also known as Superbird 5, was jointly owned by SCC (Space Communications Corporation of Tokyo) and JSat (Japan Satellite Systems). SCC controlled the vehicle on orbit. The satellite carried 24 Ku-band transponders. By October 15 N-SAT-110 was in a 35610 x 35752 km x 0.1 deg orbit drifting past 109 deg E. Stationed at 110 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 110.06 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 110.07E drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• 2000 October 29 - EuropeStar F1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP-3 V134 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). 100th Ariane 4 launch. Communications satellite, stationed at 45 deg E. Europeon.Star FM1 was a Loral FS-1300 model with a launch mass of 4167 kg and a dry mass of 1717 kg. The satellite had two cruciform solar arrays. The Ariane booster placed it into a geostationary transfer orbit. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 45 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 44.95 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg E per day. As of 2007 Feb 23 located at 44.97E drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.

• 2000 November 16 - PAS 1R Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V135 507 LC: ELA3. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). First use of the ASAP-5 piggyback payload adapter. Communications satellite, stationed at 58 deg W. PAS 1R was a large Boeing Model 702 satellite with a dry mass of about 3000 kg (launch mass 4793 kg) and a solar panel span of 45m. It carried 36 C and 48 Ku-band transponders. PAS 1R was operated by Panamsat, whose fleet included the former Hughes Galaxy system. The PAS 1R, STRV 1c/1d, and AMSAT Phase 3D satellites were placed in orbit on a single Ariane launch. The EPS stage entered geostationary transfer orbit at 0134 GMT, followed by separation of the PAS 1R main payload. As of 4 September 2001 located at 45.03 deg W drifting at 0.016 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 1 located at 45.05W drifting at 0.023W degrees per day.

• 2000 November 21 - Anik F1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L-3 V136 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Heaviest Ariane 4 payload ever. Anik F1 was a Telesat Canada communications satellite. The Boeing model 702 satellite had a launch mass of 4852 kg and a dry mass of 2950 kg. It carried 36 C-band and 48 Ku-band transponders. As of 3 September 2001 located at 107.30 deg W drifting at 0.006 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 107.29W drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.

• 2000 December 20 - Astra 2D Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V138 508 LC: ELA3. Apogee: 35,895 km (22,304 mi). Astra 2D was a Boeing 376HP spin-stabilised satellite, with a dry mass of around 700 kg. It was owned by the Luxembourg-based company SES and was to broadcast to the British Isles. Astra 2D was in a 292 x 35835 km x 2.2 deg transfer orbit on December 22 and was subsequently boosted into geosynchronous orbit by its Star 30 apogee kick motor. The 825 kg (dry mass) satellite carried 16 Ku-band transponders to provide direct-to-home voice, video, and data transmissions to Britain and neighboring countries after parking over 28.2 deg-E longitude. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 28 deg E in 2001 As of 3 September 2001 located at 28.17 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 28.17E drifting at 0.014W degrees per day.

• 2001 January 10 22:09 - Turksat 2A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P-3 V137 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,808 km (22,250 mi). Communications satellite. Launch delayed from December 8, 2000 and January 8. The Turksat 2A (Eurasiasat 1) satellite was an Alcatel Spacebus 3000B3 with a dry mass of 1577 kg (launch mass 3535 kg) and a 37m solar panel span. The satellite was placed in a 162 x 36742 km x 2.9 deg orbit; by January 13 the perigee had been raised to 21185 km. The satellite had 36 Ku-band transponders and three antennae. The dual name was probably due to the dual ownership of the spacecraft: 75% by Turk Telecom and 25% by the manufacturer Alcatel Space Company. The 3.4 tonne, 9 kW spacecraft was to provide direct-to-home voice, video, and data transmissions to countries between central Europe and the Indian subcontinent, through its 32 "BSS- and FSS-bands" transponders, after parking over 42 deg-E longitude (replacing the aging Turksat 1C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 42 deg E in 2001 As of 4 September 2001 located at 41.96 deg E drifting at 0.016 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 42.03E drifting at 0.008E degrees per day.

• 2001 February 7 23:05 - Sicral Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L-3 V139 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Sicral, (Sistema Italiana de Communicazione Riservente Allarmi) was a communications satellite for the Italian defense ministry's procurement division, the Segretariato Generale della Difesa's Direzione Nazionale degli Armamenti. Sicral was built by Alenia Aerospazio and derived from the Italsat series. Its mass was 2596 kg full, 1253 kg dry and it carried a liquid apogee engine. The 3.3 kW, 3.4 m x 4.9 m, triaxially-stabilized spacecraft carried a total of nine transponders in the SHF-, UHF-, and EHF-bands to enable secure communications after parking over 16.2 deg-E longitude. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 16 deg E in 2001 As of 26 August 2001 located at 16.27 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 16.34E drifting at 0.018E degrees per day.

• 2001 March 8 - Eurobird Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V140 509 LC: ELA3. Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Launch delayed from March 2. Eurobird was a Spacebus 3000B3 built by Alcatel (Cannes). It was the 18th member of the European Eutelsat consortium's geosynchronous constellation and carried 24 Ku-band transponders to provide broad bandwidth and high power direct-to-home transmissions to enable digital entertainment and internet connections. The three tonne (with fuel) satellite was to be parked over 28.5 deg-E longitude, replacing the aging Copernicus (Kopernikus (DFS 3), 1992-066A). Dry mass was probably around 1300 kg. The satellite had an Astrium S400 bipropellant engine. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 28 deg E in 2001 As of 4 September 2001 located at 28.50 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 28.52E drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.

• 2001 June 9 06:45 - Intelsat 901 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L-3 V141 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,804 km (22,247 mi). Launch delayed from June 8. The first of the Intelsat 9 series provided telecommunications (Internet, video and telephone) services from a geosynchronous position at 18 deg W over the Atlantic Ocean. Intelsat 901 was an FS-1300HL, an improved version of the long-standing Space Systems/Loral (originally Aeronutronic Ford) FS-1300 platform. The satellite was to provide voice and video services to Europe and the Americas through 44 C-band and 12 Ku-band transponders. The satellite had C-band beams for the Atlantic region and a Ku-band spot beam for Europe, and an R-4D liquid apogee engine. Dry mass was 1972 kg and launch mass of 4723 kg. The International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO), beginning with its first satellite, Early Bird (1965-028A), had as of this date successfully launched 54 satellites, 19 of which were operational. As of 27 August 2001 located at 54.26 deg W drifting at 1.105 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 18.01W drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• 2001 July 12 21:58 - Artemis Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V142 510 LC: ELA3. Apogee: 32,586 km (20,247 mi). Artemis was a European Space Agency satellite designed to test new communications technologies. The Ariane 510 vehicle failed to reach its correct orbit. The solid boosters and main stage worked as planned and put the EPS upper stage in the planned near-suborbital trajectory. The EPS stage then fired but the Aestus engine failed to reach full thrust and cut off 1 minute early. Instead of the planned 858 x 35853 km orbit, only a 592 x 17528 km orbit was reached. The 3.1 tonne (with fuel), 2.5 kW spacecraft carried two pairs of ion engines and had adequate xenon propellant for those engines to reach geosynchronous altitude. This was the first ever rescue of a satellite mission using electric propulsion. The satellite reached its operational orbit in 31 January 2003.using the four German RITA electric xenon thrusters. Artemis could then function as originally planned, as there remained sufficient chemical propellant for 10 years’ operation. Artemis was to provide voice and data communications between mobile phones in Europe and North America, and act as a relay satellite between low-Earth orbiters and ground stations. Eventually, as part of the planned EGNOS system (to be operational by about 2010) it was to provide navigation/location determination as an independent European counterpart to the GPS and GLONASS fleets. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 21.40E drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.

• 2001 August 30 06:46 - Intelsat 902 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L-3 V143 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Launch delayed from August 24. The Intelsat 902 geosynchronous communications satellite was stationed initially over the Indian Ocean, providing coverage to Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia through its 44 C- and 12 Ku-band transponders. The Loral FS-1300 satellite had a dry mass of 1978 kg and carried a further 2745 kg of propellant at launch. As of 4 September 2001 located at 56.46 deg E drifting at 0.118 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 61.96E drifting at 0.002E degrees per day.

• 2001 September 25 23:21 - Atlantic Bird 2 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Ariane 44P V144 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,804 km (22,247 mi). Ariane V144 placed the Atlantic Bird 2 satellite in geostationary transfer orbit. Atlantic Bird 2 was an Alcatel/Cannes Spacebus 3000B2 Ku-band communications satellite owned by the European consortium Eutelsat. It replaced the Telecom 2A satellite at 8 deg W. AB-2 had a dry mass of 1368 kg and a launch mass of 3150 kg. Atlantic Bird 1, built by Alenia, was to be launched at a later date. The spacecraft was the twenty-second member of the fleet. and was to provide high-speed television, video streaming, radio and internet services between North and South America, and Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, through its 26 Ku-band transponders. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 8.04W drifting at 0.002W degrees per day.

• 2001 November 27 00:35 - DirecTV 4S Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Ariane 44LP-3 V146 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). The DirecTV-4S television broadcasting satellite was placed by the Ariane 44LP booster into a geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite had a dry mass of 2100 kg and a launch mass of 4300 kg. The satellite was to provide more than 300 local TV channels to 41 metropolitan communities through its 11 C-band transponders after parking over 101-W longitude. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 101.14W drifting at 0.005W degrees per day.

• 2002 January 23 23:46 - Insat 3C Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42L. Ariane 42L V147 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Communications satellite. Launch delayed from January 16. The Ariane placed Insat 3C into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Indian communications satellite had a mass of 1050 kg empty, 2750 kg fuelled. It carried 30 C-band and two S-band transponders. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 73.96E drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• 2002 February 23 06:59 - Intelsat 904 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V148 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Communications satellite. Launch delayed from February 14 and 20. The Ariane 44L placed the Loral FS-1300HL-class Intelsat 904 satellite in a 176 x 35812 km x 7.0 deg geostationary transfer orbit. The spacecraft was to be used for Indian Ocean region communications. Intelsat 904 had a dry mass of 2350 kg and carried 2330 kg of fuel. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 59.96E drifting at 0.000E degrees per day.

• 2002 March 1 01:07 - Envisat Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G V145 511 LC: ELA3. Apogee: 785 km (487 mi). This launch was the first Ariane 5 to use the 17-m Long Fairing and the first to launch north from Kourou. The booster placed the European Space Agency's Envisat polar platform in orbit. The flight profile was quite different from earlier Ariane 5 GTO launches where the EPC core stage usually reached a marginal orbit. In this case EPC separation at 350 km high 10 min after launch. The stage was on a -2610 x 651 km x 93.8 deg orbit, reaching apogee around 0125 UTC and reentering north of Ellesmere Island at about 0136 UTC. The EPS final stage with Envisat only achieved a positive perigee at 22 minutes after launch, with a circular 790 km sun-synchronous orbit reached at 25 min after launch. ESA reported the booster put the satellite to within 20 m of the desired orbital position.

• 2002 March 29 01:29 - Astra 3A Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L V149 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Communications satellite. Launch delayed from mid-March. After the Ariane third stage reached geostationary transfer orbit, JCSAT 8 separated, followed by the Mini-Spelda adapter, followed by Astra 3A. Astra 3A was a Boeing BSS-376HP, with a mass of 1495 kg full and about 750 kg empty. It joined Luxembourg-based SES Astra's fleet. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 153.96E drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 2002 April 16 23:02 - NSS 7 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L-3 V150 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Ariane mission V150 placed Lockheed Martin A2100-class satellite NSS 7 satellite into orbit. The satellite was owned by New Skies, an Intelsat spinoff, and carried a C/Ku band telecoms payload. The spacecraft was in a 24200 x 35706 km x 0.7 deg orbit by April 24, on its way to geosynchrnous orbit. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 22.01W drifting at 0.010W degrees per day.

• 2002 May 4 01:31 - SPOT 5 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 42P. Ariane 42P V151 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 826 km (513 mi). Remote Sensing satellite. Last launch of Ariane 42P version. Launch delayed from April 10. The Ariane 42P, with two PAP solid boosters, flew north from Kourou. The third stage burn occurred off the east coast of North America, with engine cutoff at 0150 UTC and stage separation at 0151 UTC. Venting of the remaining third stage propellant was seen by observers in the US. SPOT Image's SPOT 5 was built by Astrium/Toulouse. The main instrument was the HRVIR imaging camera payload including a 2.5-meter resolution imager. A secondary experiment was the 5-band VEGETATION-2 instrument with 1-km resolution.

• 2002 June 5 06:44 - Intelsat 905 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Ariane 44L s/n V152 LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Intelsat 905 was launched into a geostationary transfer orbit. The satellite had a mass of 1984 kg with 2739 kg of propellant and was built by Loral for the privatized Intelsat company. It was to be stationed over the Atlantic. The Intelsat 905 satellite used a new version of the venerable General Dynamics R-4D bipropellant engine, the R-4D-15 HiPAT (High Performance Apogee Thruster) with a thrust of 445N. The first two HiPATs were built by Marquardt/Van Nuys, but new ones were built at GD's Redmond site. By June 15, I-905 was in a 35642 x 35793 km x 0.1 deg geostationary drift orbit at 26 deg W. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 24.48W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• 2002 July 5 23:22 - Stellat 5 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G s/n V153 "Ville de Charleroi" LC: ELA3. Apogee: 35,807 km (22,249 mi). Launch delayed from late June. Stellat-5 was an Alcatel Spacebus 3000B3 with a dry mass of 1805 kg and 2245 kg of propellant. The satellite carried Ku-band and C-band transponders, and was a joint venture between France Telecom and Europeon.Star which was to provide 2-way internet access and video transmission from 5 deg W. Stellat-5 was colocated with France Telecom's Telecom 2C. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 4.99W drifting at 0.000E degrees per day.

• 2002 August 28 22:45 - Atlantic Bird 1 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Ariane 5G s/n V155 LC: ELA3. Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Launch delayed from August 27. Atlantic Bird was a European (EUTELSAT) geostationary communications spacecraft. The 2.7-ton (1550 kg dry with 1150 propellant), 5 kW satellite was to provide voice, video, and Internet services to Europe and the eastern part of America through its 24 transponders after being parked over 12.5° W. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 12.49W drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• 2002 September 6 06:44 - Intelsat 906 Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. LC: ELA2. Apogee: 35,808 km (22,250 mi). Intelsat 906 was a geostationary communications spacecraft of the international Intelsat consortium (privatised as Intelsat Ltd.). It was to provide I