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Flight 159
January 14: The Ariane 4 takes shape

The final Ariane 4 launch campaign is now underway as the vehicle for
Flight 159 takes shape at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Erection of the first stage occurred on January 11, and was quickly 
followed by integration of the second stage. This activity occurred in 
the vertical assembly building at the ELA-2 launch complex.

Liftoff of the Ariane 4 is set for February 11 with the Intelsat 907
satellite.

Flight 159's Ariane 4 will be configured in the 44L version, equipped 
with four strap-on liquid propellant boosters for augmented thrust 
during liftoff and the initial ascent. The historic final flight is 
the 40th of an Ariane 4 in the 44L configuration.

Service with the Ariane 4 began in June 1988. During its highly 
successful operational lifetime, the workhorse launcher demonstrated 
Arianespace's capability to match up and launch multiple spacecraft on 
a single mission.  This proven procedure will continue with even 
larger satellites on the successor Ariane 5.

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