ARIANESPACE
Ariane 44L | Afristar & GE 5
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Oct 28, 1998 at 22:15 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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PADAriane Launch Area 2
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications
MISSION OVERVIEW
Geostationary communications satellites
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Ariane 44LAGENCY
ArianespaceMISSION
Afristar & GE 5
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: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 76b86478-0e8a-4c75-ab72-393f23599d4a
Reported date: Oct 28, 1998 at 22:15 UTC
Last synced: 8 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Ariane 44L →
MANUFACTURER
Aérospatiale
VARIANT
44L
FLIGHTS
40
SUCCESSES
39
SUCCESS RATE
97.5%
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 44L | Afristar & GE 5 launch?
The Ariane 44L | Afristar & GE 5 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 1998 at 10:15 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Afristar & GE 5?
The Ariane 44L | Afristar & GE 5 mission uses the Ariane 44L rocket, manufactured by Aérospatiale. The Ariane 44L has flown 40 times with a 97.5% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 44L | Afristar & GE 5 launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 2 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Afristar & GE 5 going to?
The Afristar & GE 5 mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching Afristar & GE 5?
The Ariane 44L | Afristar & GE 5 is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 44L | Afristar & GE 5 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 01:16 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch date set: Oct 28, 1998 at 22:15 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 8 minutes ago
●Launch Library 28 minutes ago
Launch ID: 76b86478-0e8a-4c75-ab72-393f23599d4a
●Open-Meteo Weather2 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.23, -52.78
Mission Profile
Afristar & GE 5 was a Ariane 44L mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 2, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on October 28, 1998. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.