ARIANESPACE

Ariane 44P | Eutelsat W1

SUCCESS Ariane 44P →
Sep 6, 2000 at 22:33 UTC
Geostationary Orbit Communications Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana 100% success
Initializing Launch Globe…
Live Orbit
Fullscreen
Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADAriane Launch Area 2
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →
ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications

Originally ordered by Orion Network Systems as Orion 2, the contract was later terminated. It was then bought by Eutelsat as spare satellite, called RESSAT, which was later renamed Eutelsat W1 as a replacement satellite compatible with their previously-launched W2 and W3 spacecraft. Eutelsat subsequently decided to launch W1 in September 2000. Located at the 10 degrees East position, the satellite serves a full range of applications that include that include business communications, Internet-based services and television transmission. It has 28 channels, 20 of which provide coverage of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and central Asia via a fixed widebeam, with the remaining eight connected to a steerable spotbeam, to address new markets in geographical areas outside the widebeam coverage area (notably southern Africa). Services can be simultaneously provided within both coverages.

VEHICLE
Ariane 44P
MISSION
Eutelsat W1
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Ariane Launch Area 2
COUNTRY
FRA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 2ffc9687-179c-4b28-af6d-434c95cfd125
Reported date: Sep 6, 2000 at 22:33 UTC
Last synced: 17 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
Loading weather…
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
MANUFACTURER
Aérospatiale
VARIANT
44P
FLIGHTS
15
SUCCESSES
15
SUCCESS RATE
100%

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.

When is the Ariane 44P | Eutelsat W1 launch?
The Ariane 44P | Eutelsat W1 is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2000 at 10:33 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 Eutelsat W1?
The Ariane 44P | Eutelsat W1 mission uses the Ariane 44P rocket, manufactured by Aérospatiale. The Ariane 44P has flown 15 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 44P | Eutelsat W1 launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 2 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Eutelsat W1 going to?
The Eutelsat W1 mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching Eutelsat W1?
The Ariane 44P | Eutelsat W1 is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 44P | Eutelsat W1 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.
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: Sep 6, 2000 at 22:33 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 01:16 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 17 minutes ago
Launch Library 217 minutes ago
Launch ID: 2ffc9687-179c-4b28-af6d-434c95cfd125
Open-Meteo Weather21 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.23, -52.78

Mission Profile

Eutelsat W1 was a Ariane 44P mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 2, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on September 6, 2000. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.