CAT-3, APPLE & Météosat 2

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

12:32:59

Friday June 19, 1981

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Flight L03.

APPLE

Wiki

APPLE, Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment, is an Indian experimental communications satellite. APPLE was tested by sending television programs and radio broadcasts. It stopped communicating on September 19, 1983.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

672 kilograms

CAT 3

Wiki

CAT-3 is an Italian payload used to control the proper operation of the launcher and to send the flight parameters to the engineers. It worked perfectly well.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

266 kilograms

Météosat 2

Wiki

The Météosat satellite system is an example of a very successful European endeavour. First designed in the early 1970s, the first model was launched in 1977, and the same design is expected to be in use until at least the end of 2003. The expected 26 years of operational service amply justifies the initial development effort. A few relatively minor design changes were introduced after Meteosat-3. The overall size of the satellite is 2.1 meters in diameter and 3.195 meters long. Its initial mass in orbit is 282 kg. Additional to this dry mass is the hydrazine propellant used for station-keeping, amounting to approximately 40 kg at the beginning of life. In orbit, the satellite spins at 100 rpm around its main axis, which is aligned nearly parallel to the Earth's north-south axis. Météosat is composed of a main cylindrical body, on top of which a drum-shaped section (diameter 1.3 m) and two further cylinders are stacked concentrically. The main cylindrical body contains most of the satellite subsystems, including the radiometer. Its surface is made up of six panels covered with solar cells which provide electrical power. The panels also have cut-outs for sensors, thrusters, and umbilical connectors.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

669 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


3rd

Mission

1st

Mission of 1981

European Space Agency


3rd

Mission

1st

Mission of 1981

1981


59th

Orbital launch attempt