NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1979-104A
The Capsule Ariane Technologique 1 (CAT 1) mission was an ESA launch test vehicle launched from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana. Its principal mission was to transmit back to Earth technological data on the first developmental flight L01 of the Ariane launch vehicle. The CAT 1 satellite was equipped with batteries having a lifetime of approximately 8 orbits. When the batteries were exhausted, the capsule ended its radio transmission. This was the first launch by the European Space Agency of a satellite on its own booster.
Launch Date: 1979-12-24
Launch Vehicle: Ariane
Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana
Mass: 1602 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office