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ARIANESPACE FLIGHT 159

February 14: Final countdown underway for Ariane 4's last flight

After three days of launch postponements due to weather, the final
countdown is now underway for the career-closing launch of an Ariane
4.

The high-altitude winds over the Spaceport in French Guiana subsided
today, enabling the Ariane 4's final fueling to begin.

Liftoff of the Ariane 44L with its Intelsat 907 payload is planned in
the early morning hours tomorrow, February 15.

Flight 159 will mark the end of Ariane 4's operational career, as this 
workhorse launcher family is succeeded by the heavy-lift Ariane 5.

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