First Ariane 3 launch

On 4th August 1984, Ariane 3 lifted off for the first time. This was the tenth flight (V10) of a launch vehicle in the Ariane family. It placed into orbit two telecommunications satellites, Telecom 1A and ECS.

So began the commercial career of the European launch vehicle, as well as that of Arianespace, which from flight V9 on, took total responsibility for Ariane launches.

Ariane 3 made a record 11 flights from 1984 to 1989, all of which were successful.