The Hipparcos satellite was launched (with the direct broadcast satellite TV-SAT2 as co-passenger) on an Ariane 4 launch vehicle, flight V33, from Kourou, French Guiana, on 8 August 1989.
Including an estimate for the scientific activities related to the satellite observations and data processing, Hipparcos mission cost about €600 million (2000 economic conditions), and its execution involved some 200 European scientists and more than 2000 individuals in European industry.