Ariane 4 launcher makes final flight
Europe's Ariane 4 launcher ended its 15 year career by placing a communications satellite into orbit on 15 February. Ariane 4 will be replaced by Ariane 5 launchers. Ariane 5 has been designed to meet several requirements: the ability to launch larger satellites, the increasing use of low orbits for servicing the international space station and the need to reduce costs while maintaining a high reliability. The Ariane 4 launcher made 113 successful launches and placed 182 satellites into orbit. The final satellite to be put into orbit by the launcher was an Intelsat 907 satellite. For the final flight, Flight 159, each booster was adorned with a green clover leaf bearing the inscription 'good luck with the last flight'.