CAT-1

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

17:14:38

Monday December 24, 1979

Watch Replay

Official Livestream

Mission Details

Launch Notes

First launch of Ariane 1, first launch of an Ariane rocket, and first launch managed by ESA. Flight L01.

CAT-1

Wiki

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

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 1

Active 1979 to 1986

European Space Agency logo

Agency

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 3.8m

Height: 47.4m

Payload to Orbit

LEO: 4,850 kg

GTO: 1,850 kg

Liftoff Thrust

2,772 Kilonewtons

Stages

4

Launch Site

ELA-1

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

55 days 10 hours

Stats

Ariane 1


1st

Mission

1st

Mission of 1979

European Space Agency


1st

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1979

1979


108th

Orbital launch attempt