Ariane 2 was a European space launch vehicle developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and operated by Arianespace. It was the second member of the Ariane family, designed to carry payloads into low Earth orbit. The rocket made its first flight on November 30, 1986, and was primarily used for launching satellites. The Ariane 2 featured a two-stage design, with the first stage powered by four Vulcain engines. It was capable of delivering payloads of up to 4,000 kilograms to geostationary transfer orbit. The vehicle was retired after a successful operational period, paving the way for more advanced models in the Ariane series.