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Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
17:14:38
Monday December 24, 1979
Watch Replay
Official Livestream
First launch of Ariane 1, first launch of an Ariane rocket, and first launch managed by ESA. Flight L01.
First artificial satellite launched by the European Space Agency. It was an Italian technological demonstration satellite that recorded all the flight data, to verify the proper functioning of Ariane 1. It operated for 4 days, during which it made 8 orbits around the Earth.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
1 Payload
1,602 kilograms
1st
Mission
1st
Mission of 1979
1st
Mission
2nd
Mission of 1979
108th
Orbital launch attempt