The Ariane 4 rocket of the European Space Agency (ESA). The picture was taken during the rollout of the first Ariane 4 (Ariane 401) at ESA's launch base at Kourou, French Guiana, in April 1988. The Ariane 4 is a versatile 3-stage vehicle with 2-4 strap-on boosters containing either solid or liquid fuel. In this picture, it is seen with 2 liquid propellant boosters (LPBs). Ariane 4 stands 60 metres tall, & can lift payloads of 1900-4800 kg (4190-2960 lbs) into geostationary orbit. Ariane 401 was launched on 15 June 1988, & carried 3 satellites into orbit: Pan American Satellite 1, Meteosat P2, & Amsat III C.