Europe is set to regain its heavy rocket launching capability tonight with the maiden test flight of the Ariane 6 rocket. The launch is scheduled for 8:30 PM from the European spaceport in French Guiana, South America, strategically located on the Equator.
The Ariane-6 rocket, a towering 63 meters tall and weighing 860 tons in its heaviest configuration, marks a significant milestone in European space exploration. This launch vehicle has been in development since at least 2014 and has faced numerous delays. Its predecessor, the Ariane-5, retired on July 5, 2023, after a stellar track record of 117 launches with a 96% success rate.
The Ariane-6, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Ariane Group, has an estimated development cost of 3.6 billion euros, with each launch priced at 115 million euros. Unlike reusable rockets, Ariane-6 is designed for one-time use, emphasizing high reliability and performance.
The Ariane-5 was a crucial asset not only for European nations but also for international partners, including India. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) frequently used Ariane-5 for launching heavy satellites, with 25 successful missions. With Ariane-5’s retirement and Ariane-6’s delays, ISRO has turned to SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket for upcoming missions, such as the GSAT-20 communications satellite scheduled for launch in mid-August.
SpaceX has dominated the heavy launch market with its Falcon-9 rocket, boasting a 99.4% success rate over 352 launches since 2010. The European space community, however, has been eager to restore its independent access to space, particularly for sensitive missions like spy satellites, which many countries are hesitant to launch on American rockets.
The Ariane-6 is poised to fill this void. It comes in two versions: Ariane 62, tailored for institutional missions, and Ariane 64, aimed at the commercial market. The rocket’s design features a core stage with solid rocket boosters that propel it in the first 10 minutes of flight to 200 km. The upper stage, powered by the re-ignitable Vinci engine fueled by cryogenic liquid oxygen and hydrogen, will then take over. After payload separation, the upper stage will perform a de-orbit maneuver to reduce space debris.
“With 30 missions in our order book, Ariane-6 has already gained the trust of institutional and commercial customers. We are preparing to make Ariane-6’s second launch by the end of the year, followed by a steady rise to around 10 launches a year once we reach cruising speed. It represents a splendid challenge for Arianespace and our partners,” said Stephane Israel, CEO of Arianespace.
The scientific community has high expectations for Ariane-6. The journal Nature highlighted its importance for Europe’s independent access to space, supporting scientific missions ranging from solar system exploration to climate science, as well as strategic assets like intelligence and navigation satellites.
Today’s launch is a critical moment for the global space industry, offering an alternative to SpaceX’s dominance and providing new opportunities for commercial and institutional missions worldwide.
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