Ariane 4 - The sextuplets are doing fine

The Ariane 4 launch vehicle is under development to raise the payload capabilities of the Ariane to those of the Shuttle. The launch vehicle is to be capable of placing a 1.9 ton mass into a GEO transfer orbit without strap-on boosters and 4.2 tons with boosters. A new Sylda payload shroud will accommodate simultaneous launch of up to three satellites. The LEO capability will be six tons, coupled with 2.5 tons into an interplanetary trajectory. In total, the Ariane 4 will have 30 variants for fitting various missions. The liquid-filled first stage is 25 m tall, and is guided by a ring-laser inertial gyro. The strap-on boosters will comprise two liquid-fueled and two solid-fueled rockets. As of spring 1986, firm orders had been placed for seven Ariane-4's. The last launch of the Ariane-2 and -3 versions will be in 1988. The Ariane-5 is scheduled for operation in 1995.