PADAriane Launch Area 2
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications
MISSION OVERVIEW
American geostationary communications spacecraft
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Ariane 42P
AGENCY
ArianespaceMISSION
Echostar II
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Ariane Launch Area 2
LAUNCH SITE
Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaCOUNTRY
FRA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Day + approximate time
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 1a7749ab-c8ce-4d5b-b747-3f592b0eb080
Reported date: Sep 11, 1996 at 00:00 UTC
Last synced: 7 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE
MANUFACTURER
Aérospatiale
VARIANT
42P
FLIGHTS
15
SUCCESSES
14
SUCCESS RATE
93.3%
The Ariane 4 was an expendable space launch system, developed by the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, for the European Space Agency (ESA). It was manufactured by ArianeGroup and marketed by Arianespace. Since its first flight on 15 June 1988 until the final flight on 15 February 2003, it attained 113 successful launches out of 116 total launches.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Ariane 42P | Echostar II launch?
The Ariane 42P | Echostar II is scheduled for Wednesday, September 11, 1996 at 12:00 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Echostar II?
The Ariane 42P | Echostar II mission uses the Ariane 42P rocket, manufactured by Aérospatiale. The Ariane 42P has flown 15 times with a 93.3% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 42P | Echostar II launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 2 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Echostar II going to?
The Echostar II mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching Echostar II?
The Ariane 42P | Echostar II is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 42P | Echostar II launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch date set: Sep 11, 1996 at 00:00 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 7 hours ago
●Launch Library 27 hours ago
Launch ID: 1a7749ab-c8ce-4d5b-b747-3f592b0eb080
●Open-Meteo Weather7 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.23, -52.78
Mission Profile
Echostar II was a Ariane 42P mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 2, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on September 11, 1996. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.