ARIANESPACE
Ariane 44LP | Skynet 4B & Astra 1A
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Dec 11, 1988 at 00:33 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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PADAriane Launch Area 2
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications
MISSION OVERVIEW
Geostationary communications satellite
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Ariane 44LPAGENCY
ArianespaceMISSION
Skynet 4B & Astra 1A
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: 5191627d-cfa9-4cb5-a9d2-98a484b03152
Reported date: Dec 11, 1988 at 00:33 UTC
Last synced: 23 seconds 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 44LP →
MANUFACTURER
Aérospatiale
VARIANT
44LP
FLIGHTS
26
SUCCESSES
25
SUCCESS RATE
96.2%
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 44LP | Skynet 4B & Astra 1A launch?
The Ariane 44LP | Skynet 4B & Astra 1A is scheduled for Sunday, December 11, 1988 at 12:33 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 Skynet 4B & Astra 1A?
The Ariane 44LP | Skynet 4B & Astra 1A mission uses the Ariane 44LP rocket, manufactured by Aérospatiale. The Ariane 44LP has flown 26 times with a 96.2% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 44LP | Skynet 4B & Astra 1A launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 2 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Skynet 4B & Astra 1A going to?
The Skynet 4B & Astra 1A mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching Skynet 4B & Astra 1A?
The Ariane 44LP | Skynet 4B & Astra 1A is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 44LP | Skynet 4B & Astra 1A 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 05:34 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 05:34 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 11, 1988 at 00:33 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 05:34 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 23 seconds ago
●Launch Library 223 seconds ago
Launch ID: 5191627d-cfa9-4cb5-a9d2-98a484b03152
●Open-Meteo Weather5 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.23, -52.78
Mission Profile
Skynet 4B & Astra 1A was a Ariane 44LP mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 2, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on December 11, 1988. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.