Europe Returns to Space with Ariane 6 Launch

After many years of delays, The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched Ariane 6 into space.. The rocket left a platform in French Guiana and reached orbit 18 minutes later. The first flight not only closes a chapter that lasted almost a decade, but also Brings Europe Back to the Space Race.

The agency said the Ariane 6 took off from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana at 16:00 local time (21:00 CEST). The modular rocket is capable of carrying out missions in low Earth orbit. He achieved his goal in 18 minutes and 44 seconds.. ESA later confirmed that the first set of satellites on board Ariane 6 had been launched from the upper stage into orbit.

The primary objective of the first launch, known as VA262, is demonstrate the capabilities of Ariane in takeoff and space operations. ESA tested the possibility of escaping the Earth’s gravity and launching a payload into orbit located 600 km from our planet.

“The first launch is a huge undertaking by thousands of people who have worked tirelessly for many years,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General. “That it works so well on the first attempt is testament to their dedication and a demonstration of European excellence in engineering and technology.”

It took Ariane 6 a decade to reach space

While ESA can breathe a sigh of relief following the launch of the tests, the road to achieving this was not an easy one. The Ariane 6 project was announced in late 2014.when the committee selected a liquid-fuel rocket with solid boosters as the final design. It took a year for funding to come through and for the agency to begin development. a device capable of lifting 6.5 tons into orbit.

Ariane 6, like other projects, became a victim of the coronavirus pandemicwhen ESA announced a delay in its first launch. A year later, the space agency requested an additional round of funding to complete the rocket. However, development suffered another setback due to a shortage of materials caused by the Ukrainian war.

“It is rare for a brand new rocket to be launched, and success is far from guaranteed,” Aschbacher said. “I am honored to witness this historic moment when a new European generation of the Ariane family has successfully taken off, effectively restoring Europe’s access to space.”

What’s next for ESA’s new rocket

With the launch, ESA also tested the platform and its operations at the spaceport. French Guiana. The next step after the satellites are in orbit will be to restart Vinci’s engine using an auxiliary propulsion unit. This capability will allow it to land passengers in different orbits and avoid space debris on its return, according to ESA.

The European Space Agency has confirmed this. Ariane 6’s first commercial launch will take place in 2024. The first project envisages up to nine launches per year at a cost of no more than 70 million euros per flight. The ability to carry out missions in several orbits has brought it a wave of orders from various customers, said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace.