PADAriane Launch Area 2
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications
MISSION OVERVIEW
Japanese communications satellite
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Ariane 44PAGENCY
ArianespaceMISSION
JCSAT 1B & Equator-S
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: 4eac4e07-d46f-44f5-a98f-a96c6a77d15c
Reported date: Dec 2, 1997 at 22:52 UTC
Last synced: 5 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 44P →
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Ariane 44P | JCSAT 1B & Equator-S launch?
The Ariane 44P | JCSAT 1B & Equator-S is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 1997 at 10:52 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 JCSAT 1B & Equator-S?
The Ariane 44P | JCSAT 1B & Equator-S 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 | JCSAT 1B & Equator-S launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 2 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is JCSAT 1B & Equator-S going to?
The JCSAT 1B & Equator-S mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching JCSAT 1B & Equator-S?
The Ariane 44P | JCSAT 1B & Equator-S is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 44P | JCSAT 1B & Equator-S 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: Dec 2, 1997 at 22:52 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: 5 minutes ago
●Launch Library 25 minutes ago
Launch ID: 4eac4e07-d46f-44f5-a98f-a96c6a77d15c
●Open-Meteo Weather22 hours ago
Pad weather at 5.23, -52.78
Mission Profile
JCSAT 1B & Equator-S was a Ariane 44P mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 2, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on December 2, 1997. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.