The Ariane 3 was a European space launch vehicle developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and operated by Arianespace. It was designed to carry payloads into low Earth orbit and was an improvement over its predecessor, the Ariane 1. The rocket was notable for its reliability and efficiency, making it a popular choice for launching satellites. First launched in 1984, the Ariane 3 successfully completed 13 missions before being retired in 1989. It was capable of delivering heavier payloads than earlier models, which helped establish Europe as a significant player in the commercial space launch market.