2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Launches
  3. 1988
  4. 1988-081
// orbital launch

Gstar 3

Ariane 3 launch from Kourou (France) on September 8, 1988, carrying 2 payloads. GCAT records the launch as a success.

September 8, 1988 · 23:00 UTCLaunch 1988-081Launch no. 3,334 in the log
RocketAriane 3
SpaceportKouroupad ELA2
OutcomeSuccess
Launch agencyArianespaceFrance

Flight

Date and time (UTC)
September 8, 1988, 23:00
Launch designation
1988-081
Mission
Gstar 3
Flight name
Gstar 3/SBS 5
Vehicle flight ID
V25 L24

Orbit and payload

Initial apogee
36,930 km
Payload mass to orbit
2.6 t
Payloads
2
GCAT launch code
OS

Payloads

PayloadDesignationOwnerMission typeMassFate
Gstar 31988-081ANORAD 19483GTE Spacenet CorpCommunications726 kgIn orbit
SBS 51988-081BNORAD 19484IBM Satellite Transponder Leasing Corp.Communications703 kgRenamed · May 16, 1997

Source: GCAT launch list and payload catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0). Orbit values are the initial orbit reported for the launch.