posted 07-11-2013 07:47 AM               

The baseline configuration of Ariane 6 selected by consensus on the basis of decisions taken by ESA's Ministerial Council of November 2012

In November 2012, European Ministers responsible for space, meeting in Naples, Italy, approved the start of preparatory activities for Europe's next-generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle.

The objective of Ariane 6 is to maintain guaranteed autonomous access to space for Europe, while minimizing exploitation costs and suppressing any support to exploitation.

The performance requested for the new launch vehicle was 3–6.5 tonnes in equivalent geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), to cover both governmental and commercial needs. The general configuration retained was 'PPH' – indicating the sequence of stages using solid propulsion, solid propulsion and cryogenic propulsion.

Ministers also requested that the new launch vehicle exploits maximum commonalities with the cryogenic reignitable upper stage of Ariane 5 ME.

Process

Seven months after ESA's Ministerial Council decision, the project team of ESA, supported by CNES, has endorsed the final concept proposed by industry for the vehicle that will become Europe's workhorse for reaching space in the 2020s and beyond.

This concept was selected after six months of trade-off studies done by a 'plateau projet' integrating industrial teams (Astrium, Avio, Herakles and the participation of Safran, MT Aerospace and others) working under ESA contract, consistent with Ministerial decisions mentioned above.

The choice of configuration was made by consensus and based on the following main criteria: exploitation costs, time to market and development costs.

Ariane 6 will benefit from the advances by European industry in solid and cryogenic propulsion, structures, systems, avionics, ground segment and operations through the Ariane and Vega programs.

Baseline configuration selected

The selected 'Multi P linear' concept is based on a lower 'composite' of four motors, each loaded with around 135 tonnes of solid propellant, providing also synergies with the Vega evolution perspectives. An "in-line" arrangement of three will serve as the first stage, while the fourth will be mounted above as the second stage.

The third stage will be an adapted version of the Ariane 5 ME upper stage, equipped with the Vinci engine and specific propellant tanks.

The 5.4 m-diameter payload fairing will be able to accommodate the same volume of satellites as Ariane 5.

Steps to October 2013

The next step will be for ESA to consult with industry to gather competing ideas on key work packages of the new launch system. Industry will have maximum flexibility for meeting the requirements.

Consolidation of the current Phase A will take place at the Preliminary Requirements Review (PRR) in October 2013.

Decisions taken by the ESA Council at Ministerial level in November 2012 are being implemented strictly and timely.

posted 12-01-2017 10:49 AM               

At Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, Ariane 6 is now a reality with the launch zone taking shape.

Indeed there is no time to lose for the future European launcher since its first launch is planned for July 2020. But the independent access to space for Europe is at stake along with its leading role on the launcher market.

This video shows the status of Ariane 6 launch zone in Kourou with latest drone images and an interview with Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA's Director of Space Transportation.

posted 01-24-2018 03:27 PM               

Successful first test for the Ariane 6 Vulcain engine

The Vulcain 2.1 engine, developed by ArianeGroup to power the main stage of the Ariane 6 launcher, for which the maiden flight is scheduled for 2020, has just been successfully tested by the DLR (German Aerospace Center) on the P5 test facility at its site in Lampoldshausen, Germany on behalf of ArianeGroup.

This is a version of the Ariane 5 Vulcain 2 engine especially adapted for the Ariane 6 main stage, to simplify production and to lower costs. To reach these objectives the engine integrates technologies such as a gas generator built using 3D printing, a simplified divergent nozzle, and an oxygen heater for tank pressurization. These adaptations contribute to achieving the cost targets set for the Ariane 6 launcher, while retaining the efficiency and reliability demonstrated on Ariane 5.

The tests carried out at Lampoldshausen will allow the new engine to be tested throughout its flight envelope (thrust, mixing ratio, propellant supply conditions).

In parallel, the Ariane 6 upper stage Vinci engine qualification program is continuing on schedule, with more than 130 test firings performed on the two test beds in France and Germany (the P4.1 at the DLR's Lampoldshausen site and the PF52 at the ArianeGroup test site in Vernon, France), including several demonstrations of the multiple ignition capability required by Ariane customers for their missions on Ariane 6.

Design authority and industrial lead contractor for the development and operation of the Ariane 6 launcher on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), ArianeGroup coordinates an industrial network of more than 600 companies in 13 European countries, including more than 350 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

posted 07-16-2018 12:30 PM               

Hot firing proves solid rocket motor for Ariane 6 and Vega-C

Today's hot firing of the P120C solid-propellant motor at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana proves its flight-worthiness for use on Vega-C next year and on Ariane 6 from 2020.

This marks an important milestone in the development schedule of Europe’s new-generation launchers, designed to boost our autonomy in the space arena, and maintain Europe’s global competitiveness.

The test lasted 135 seconds simulating the complete burn time from liftoff and through the first phase of flight.

No anomalies were seen and the performance met expectations, though full analysis will take several months.

The P120C is 13.5 m long and 3.4 m in diameter and is made using a carbon composite material and built in one segment. It will replace the current P80 as the first stage motor of Vega-C. Two or four P120Cs will be strapped onto Ariane 6 as boosters for liftoff.

This test was a collaboration between ESA, France’s CNES space agency, and Europropulsion under contract to Avio and ArianeGroup.

The next static firing will occur at the end of this year with the P120C qualification motor.

posted 10-29-2020 12:09 PM               

ESA lays out roadmap to Vega-C and Ariane 6 flights

Vega-C and Ariane 6 are being developed by ESA to assure Europe's independent access to space. The maiden flight for Vega-C is planned to take place in June 2021, that for Ariane 6 for the second quarter of 2022.

Solid progress is being made on both Vega-C and Ariane 6 development programs. Since March, some technical events and the COVID-19 pandemic have both impacted the progress of activities. Uncertainty from COVID-19 still persists globally to date.

Vega-C

Vega-C is a more powerful and versatile version of the Vega launch vehicle currently operating at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Vega-C's maiden flight is planned for June 2021.

Vega was on track for its return to flight, after the July 2019 failure, with its mission (VV16) in March 2020, but Europe's Spaceport had to be closed due to COVID-19 safety measures. The VV16 launch campaign resumed in May but several further launch attempts were halted due to unfavorable weather. Vega's return to flight, with the new SSMS dispenser carrying 53 satellites, was successfully launched on 2 September.

Between February and September no activities for the preparation of Vega-C were possible in the Vega mobile gantry while it housed the P80 solid rocket motor in readiness for flight VV16, due to safety constraints.

The qualification at system and subsystems level is currently under finalization.

As from October, all the new solid motors for Vega-C have completed qualification testing. The Zefiro-40 solid rocket motor for Vega-C completed qualification tests in 2019. The final test of the P120C took place successfully on 7 October.

Two Vega flights, VV17 and VV18, are planned before Vega-C. Activities for the modification of the mobile gantry for Vega-C, such as modifications of the fluids networks as well as connection and installation of the new control bench for Vega-C, will have to start after VV18 now planned early February.

Vega-C maiden flight is planned for June 2021.

Vega-C is a project managed and funded by the European Space Agency. Avio is the industrial prime contractor. Arianespace commercializes Vega-C.

Ariane 6

ESA, CNES and ArianeGroup have jointly established a consolidated reference planning for Ariane 6 development and are working as an integrated team in their respective roles to make it happen. This schedule is based on analysis of recent achievements, remaining critical milestones and the impact on the program caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the successful third static fire test of the P120C solid rocket motor on 7 October, all the propulsion elements of the launcher system have completed their qualification tests.

Above: The Ariane 6 mobile gantry with booster and core stage mockups on the launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in October 2020.

At Europe's Spaceport, activities for the finalization of the Ariane 6 launch base are progressing. First integration testing with full-scale "mock-ups" of the P120C strap-on booster and of Ariane 6's central core took place in the new mobile gantry. Testing of the cryogenic arms that link the launch pad and the launch vehicle are also ongoing at Fos-sur-Mer in France, before shipping to French Guiana.

ArianeGroup is completing the challenging development and qualification of the Ariane 6 Auxiliary Power Unit for the upper stage. This device will allow Europe to offer additional capabilities in satellite deployment for the satellite constellation market.

The first Ariane 6 upper stage has been assembled in Bremen, Germany. Coupling the launcher's tanks with the equipped engine bay of the re-ignitable Vinci engine for the first time. The upper stage is currently undergoing mechanical, fluid and electrical tests, before leaving for further tests at the DLR German Aerospace Center's Lampoldshausen facilities in Germany.

There, the complete stage will be hot fire tested on a new test bench specially developed by DLR for the Ariane 6 upper stage. The Ariane 6 upper stage static fire tests are planned to start in the second quarter of 2021.

In parallel, the first Ariane 6 core stage and the second Ariane 6 upper stage are under preparation. These specimen will be shipped to Europe's Spaceport from Les Mureaux (France) and Bremen (Germany) respectively, for the combined tests campaign.

In the third quarter of 2021, the Ariane 6 launch base will be handed over from CNES to ESA. At this point the Ariane 6 combined tests campaign can start. These series of tests will bring the launch vehicle and launch base together for the first time for integrated tests of multiple systems. This will include a static fire test of Ariane 6 while standing on the launch pad for the first time.

Following the successful combined test campaign and Ground qualification review of the launch system, the first launch campaign, with the integration of the maiden flight hardware, will start.

When all these steps are successfully completed Ariane 6 will be in a position to perform its maiden flight in the second quarter of 2022.

Ariane 6 is a project managed and funded by the European Space Agency. ArianeGroup is design authority and industrial prime contractor for the launcher system. The French space agency CNES is prime contractor for the development of the Ariane 6 launch base at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Arianespace commercializes Ariane 6.

posted 07-12-2022 11:16 PM               

Ariane 6 central core transferred to mobile gantry

The Ariane 6 launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana now hosts the first example of ESA's new heavy-lift rocket. This Ariane 6 combined tests model will be used to validate the entire launch system during its ground phase in readiness for the inaugural launch of Ariane 6.

The combined tests include filling tanks, and draining them in case of launch abort, count-down automated sequence, and cryogenic arms disconnection and retraction at a simulated liftoff.

These tests will be carried out under ESA's authority by an integrated team from ESA, ArianeGroup and French space agency CNES.

The Ariane 6 combined tests model is highly representative of the flight model. It consists of the core stage and the upper stage, which make up the central core, as well as three pylons shaped like the rocket's solid boosters and a fully representative but inert mockup of the fourth booster.

The Ariane 6 combined tests model central core was precisely mated in the purpose-built launcher assembly building, where this task is carried out horizontally. Automated guidance vehicles then brought the assembled core to the launch and, working with the crane at the mobile gantry, raised it to its vertical position.

"This key milestone is a cornerstone of the validation of the Ariane 6 integration concept which was imagined at the very beginning of this wonderful adventure. Achieving it is a source of great pride and a terrific motivator for Ariane 6 teams", says Jérôme Crubilhé, ESA Mechanical Engineer.

Before receiving the central core, launch pad systems underwent a battery of tests to check the "cryogenic connection system" of umbilical cords carrying hydrogen and oxygen fuel – liquified at -253C and -183C respectively – that will keep the rocket topped up in the critical moments before liftoff. The system must also deliver helium and nitrogen used for flushing and purging.

Critically, these systems are designed to remain connected to the rocket until nearly the moment of liftoff. The method demands careful choreography of large mechanical systems but brings several advantages by improving reliability and availability while eliminating some equipment that is not needed in flight. The net result is to reduce the rocket's dry mass and recurring costs.

Also, last-moment decoupling does away with some purging lines needed by Ariane 5, to reduce recurring costs and the dry mass of the rocket.

Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA's Director of Space Transportation, said: "I am delighted to see solid progress towards first flight. Ariane 6 marks a new era in reliable, competitive and autonomous European spaceflight.

"Ariane 6 is also the foundation for a series of developments which will maintain Europe's gateway to space into the 2030s."

Ariane 6 is a modular launch vehicle using either two or four P120C strap-on boosters, depending on mission requirements. The P120C engine does double duty, also serving as the first stage of ESA's new Vega-C rocket.

The reignitable Vinci engine which powers the upper stage allows Ariane 6 to deliver multiple payloads to different orbits on a single launch. After payload separation a final engine burn deorbits the upper stage so that it does not become a debris threat in space. 

Ariane 6 development is project-managed and funded by ESA, which also acts as launch system architect. ArianeGroup is design authority and industrial prime contractor for the launcher system and CNES is prime contractor for the Ariane 6 launch base at Europe's Spaceport. Arianespace is the launch service provider of Ariane 6.

posted 07-12-2022 11:21 PM               

ESA’s newest launcher stands nearly 35m tall when its four stages and payload are fully stacked. For its inaugural flight, VV21, the main payload is LARES-2, a scientific mission of the Italian space agency, ASI.

posted 07-13-2022 08:54 AM               

The inaugural flight of ESA's new Vega-C rocket is set for 13 July at 15:13 CEST. The principal payload of flight VV21 is LARES-2, a scientific mission of the AsiTV. Also onboard are six European research CubeSats.

posted 07-13-2022 06:38 PM               

Vega-C successfully completes inaugural flight

ESA's new Vega-C rocket has completed its inaugural flight, placing main payload LARES-2 – a scientific mission of the Italian Space Agency ASI – into its planned orbit. Six research CubeSats from France, Italy and Slovenia flew as secondary payloads. The launch caps a multi-year effort by ESA, prime contractor Avio and industrial partners in 13 ESA member states to build on the heritage of its predecessor, Vega.

Flight VV21 lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana at 15:13 CEST/13:13 UTC on 13 July 2022 (10:13 local time). This mission lasted about 2 hours and 15 minutes from lift-off to release of final payload and final burn of the AVUM+ upper stage engine.

Total payload mass at liftoff was approximately 474kg: 296 kg for LARES-2, with the remainder being the six CubeSats, payload adapters and carrying structures.

Vega-C represents a dramatic capability boost compared to Vega, which has flown since 2012. With new first and second stages and an uprated fourth stage, Vega-C increases performance from Vega's 1.5 t to about 2.3 t in a reference 700 km polar orbit.

Overseeing launch operations from mission control at the Spaceport, ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander remarked: "Today we open a new era of European launch solutions, starting with Vega-C and to be complemented by Ariane 6."

Vega-C features a new, more powerful first stage, P120C, based on Vega's P80. Atop that is a new second stage, Zefiro-40, and then the same Zefiro-9 third stage as used on Vega.  

The re-ignitable upper stage is also improved. AVUM+ has increased liquid propellant capacity, to deliver payloads to multiple orbits depending on mission requirements and to allow for longer operational time in space, to enable extended missions.

The P120C motor will do double service, with either two or four units acting as strap-on boosters for Ariane 6. Sharing this component streamlines industrial efficiency and improves cost-effectiveness of both launchers.

With its larger main stages and bigger fairing – which doubles the payload volume compared to Vega – Vega-C measures 34.8 m high, nearly 5 m taller than Vega.

The new launcher configuration delivers a significant improvement in launch system flexibility. Vega-C can orbit larger satellites, two main payloads or accommodate various arrangements for rideshare missions. ESA's upcoming Space Rider return-to-Earth vehicle will be launched to orbit on Vega-C.

The precise orbital path of LARES-2 will be tracked by laser, from ground stations. The purpose of the mission is to measure the so-called frame-dragging effect, a distortion of space-time caused by the rotation of a massive body such as Earth as predicted by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. Its predecessor, the similar LARES, was the main payload on the 2012 inaugural flight of Vega.

Six CubeSats made a secondary payload package. AstroBio CubeSat (Italy) will test a solution for detecting biomolecules in space. Greencube (Italy) carries an experiment to grow plants in microgravity. ALPHA (Italy) aims to help understand phenomena related to Earth's magnetosphere, such as the Northern and Southern Lights. 

Three other CubeSats – Trisat-R (Slovenia), MTCube-2 (France) and Celesta (France) will study the effects of a harsh radiation environment on electronic systems.

Further Evolution

As Vega-C begins operations, development continues. A further variant, Vega-E, will from 2026 provide a simplified architecture by replacing both the Vega-C third and fourth stages with a new cryogenic upper stage. Key to Vega-E is the Europe-built M10 engine, M10 uses more environmentally sustainable propellants – cryogenic liquid oxygen and methane – and features an advanced pressure control system that enables multiple stops and restarts in space. Prime contractor Avio recently completed its first hot-fire test series.

VV21 was operated by ESA, which owns the Vega-C programme and oversees its development. This inaugural flight paves the way for the start of exploitation by Arianespace and Avio.

Following Vega's success, Member States at the ESA Ministerial meeting in December 2014 agreed to develop the more powerful Vega-C to respond to an evolving market and long-term institutional needs. ESA member states participating in the Vega-C programme are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

posted 10-17-2022 04:31 PM               

Ariane 6 stands tall on its launch pad

The Ariane 6 launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana now hosts for the first time a fully assembled example of ESA's new heavy-lift rocket, following the addition of an upper composite to the core stage and four boosters already in place. The upper composite – consisting of two half-fairings and a payload mock-up with the structural adapter needed to join it to the core stage – made the 10 km trip from the encapsulation building to launch pad on 12 October.

Assembly, transfer and installation of an upper composite validates the Ariane 6 assembly process. Now, over the next several weeks, teams from ESA, ArianeGroup and French space agency CNES will make the mechanical, electrical and fluid connections which join this test model of the Ariane 64 configuration to the launch pad.

With Ariane 6 fully integrated with the pad, so-called combined tests will validate the rocket, launch pad and shared electrical, fluid and mechanical systems as a complete system. The combined tests include tank filling and drainage operations which guarantee smooth-running of a launch sequence. Flight and control bench software will also be tested.

Then, the launch pad will serve as a test bed for static hot-fire tests of the Vulcain 2.1 core stage engine, including aborted firings and long firings with disconnection. Vulcain 2.1 is derived from Ariane 5's Vulcain 2.

Separately, static hot-fire tests of the Ariane 6 upper stage and its all-new Vinci engine began in October on a purpose-built test bed at Germany's DLR centre for engine and stage testing at Lampoldshausen.

The reignitable Vinci engine allows Ariane 6 to deliver multiple payloads to different orbits on a single launch. After payload separation a final engine burn deorbits the upper stage so that it does not become a debris threat in space.  

ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander underscores the importance of Ariane 6 as a successor to Ariane 5, which for more than a quarter century has provided Europe with reliable access to space: "Innovation is the key to maintaining Europe's capacity to reach space with a fully independent launch system that is competitive and versatile."

"With Ariane 6 we have Europe's best engineers developing new technologies and manufacturing methods to build on the success of one of the world's most reliable launch systems."

Ariane 6 is a modular launch vehicle using either two or four P120C strap-on boosters, depending on mission requirements. The P120C engine does double duty, also serving as the first stage of ESA's new Vega-C rocket. 

Ariane 6 is project-managed and funded by ESA, which also acts as launch system architect. ArianeGroup is design authority and industrial prime contractor for the launcher system and CNES is prime contractor for the Ariane 6 launch base at Europe's Spaceport. Arianespace is the launch service provider of Ariane 6.

posted 09-06-2023 11:26 AM               

Fuelled-up dress rehearsal for Ariane 6

At Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, ESA's new Ariane 6 launch vehicle, consisting of its upper and core stage has been fuelled up and its core stage engine fired. With the rocket standing on its launch pad, the Vulcain 2.1 engine was ignited, fired for four seconds as planned and switched off before its liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fuels were drained to their separate underground tanks. These tests are the continuation of an earlier test on 18 July.

The exercise, conducted by CNES and ArianeGroup under the lead of ESA, checked pre-launch procedures and ignition, and showed again, that the system can be kept safe in the event of a launch abort, as already demonstrated during the 18 July test. Fuelling and ignition was the latest in an ongoing series of tests to validate that the rocket, launch pad, protective gantry and all related fluid and electrical connections work properly as a combined system.

The Ariane 6 rocket now installed on the launch pad is not intended for flight – the solid rocket boosters are inert – but it is almost identical to a flight model for purposes of testing. Flight models, including the rocket that will make Ariane 6's inaugural flight, are being manufactured and assembled under the responsibility of ArianeGroup, the prime contractor in Les Mureaux, France and Bremen, Germany. The solid rocket boosters for the first flight are being aseembled in Kourou, French Guiana.

ESA Director of Space Transportation Toni Tolker-Nielsen remarked: "We have a fantastic team working on this programme. We can all feel it - we are taking the final steps towards entering into the Ariane 6 era."

Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage and its reignitable Vinci engine, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payloads, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.

posted 11-23-2023 10:46 AM               

Watch live as Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket goes through a full-scale rehearsal in preparation for its first flight, when teams from Ariane Group, CNES and ESA on the ground will complete a launch countdown rehearsal. The test includes the ignition of the core stage Vulcain 2.1 engine, followed by 470 seconds of stabilised operation covering the entire core stage flight phase, as it would function on a launch into space.

Coverage will start 20 minutes before engine ignition and continue five minutes after core stage operation, once the engine burns through all its propellant.

For this rehearsal, the boosters will not be ignited, so Ariane 6 will stay firmly on the launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

The eight-minute engine-fire trial reenacts how the Ariane 6 core stage will fire during a normal flight into space. The trial, conducted with a test model on the launch pad at Europe's Spaceport will be the longest 'full-stack' run yet for Ariane 6's lower liquid propulsion module equipped with a Vulcain 2.1 engine.

The Vulcain 2.1 engine will burn through almost 150 tonnes of propellant supplied from the Ariane 6 core stage tanks – liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen – supercooled to temperatures below -250°C.

The Vulcain 2.1 engine is an evolution of the Vulcain 2 engine that made Ariane 5 Europe's most successful launch system ever. The upgrade has a simplified and cheaper design and features new technology in the engine nozzle, while the ignition system has been moved from the engine to the launch pad to make the core stage perform better and cost less.

posted 06-21-2024 09:34 AM               

Ariane 6 pre-show: wet dress rehearsal complete

Yesterday (June 20), the first Ariane 6 rocket to launch into space went through its last full 'wet dress rehearsal' at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana – it provided an exciting sneak peek of what's to come, stopping just a few seconds before engine ignition and of course, lift-off.

Above: First clear view of the Ariane 6 rocket that will launch into space on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, 20 June 2024. (ESA)

Similar to rehearsals carried out with a test rocket during combined test campaigns, this time the real flight model, its payloads, the launchpad and teams on the ground went through every step of launch operations; from pumping 180 tonnes of propellant – liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen – into the waiting Ariane 6, the rollback of the mobile gantry, running all of the ground control software and more.

"The wet dress rehearsal is the very final milestone before launch," says ESA's Guy Pilchen, Ariane 6 launcher project manager "allowing teams to fine-tune the delicate operations required up until liftoff, using the real rocket's actual flight hardware and software for the first time."

Top tip: fill slowly with supercool fuel

One of the first steps was to roll back the colossal 90-m tall Ariane 6 mobile gantry building 120 m away from the launch pad – the first moment the complete rocket stood free.

Pumping fuel into the Ariane 6 then took about 3,5 hours, as technicians at the control centre first began by slowly cooling the pipes, valves, tanks and engines from the tropical temperatures in French Guiana of about 30 degrees Centigrade down to the super-chilled temperatures of the soon-incoming cryogenic fuels.

As much an art as engineering, the propellants used by Europe's new rocket Ariane 6 are supercooled to –180°C for the oxygen and –230°C for the hydrogen fuel. At these temperatures, any humidity already in the pipes would immediately freeze and could lead to blocked valves. To avoid this, any hint of air or moisture from the atmosphere was flushed out of the system by the inert (unreactive) gas, nitrogen, before fuelling began.

Once the tanks were full, teams continued topping them up as the liquid fuels would gradually boil away in the Sun. The rocket was subsequently drained of fuel in preparation for launch.

Countdown to just a few seconds

"The rocket, the launch pad and teams from ESA, CNES and ArianeGroup, all put in a great performance, and everything went smoothly – I couldn't be prouder," says ESA's Pier Domenico Resta, "after all these years of preparation we are very close to launch."

Data from the rehearsal is now being analysed with results expected on 26 June which will confirm the launch date when Ariane 6 will go through the same process, except finally igniting and completing the last few seconds – taking off from Earth for the first time.

We have come a long way

The first parts of Ariane 6 began arriving in French Guiana from continental Europe in February 2024 via the Canopée 'spaceship'. In March, the main stage and upper stage were assembled, followed by the transfer of the two powerful P120C boosters in April.

Above: Closing the fairing for the first flight of Ariane 6 at the encapsulation hall in Europe's Spaceport, French Guiana, 6 June 2024. (ESA)

In May, Ariane 6's first passengers also arrived in Kourou – a varied selection of experiments, satellites, payload deployers and reentry demonstrations that represent thousands across Europe, from students to industry and experienced space actors NASA and ArianeGroup.

The payloads were integrated onto the 'ballast' at the end of May, and just a few days ago the ballast was fitted onto the top of the rocket and the fairing closed around it – the last time Ariane 6's cargo would see light.

From Earth observation to technology demonstrations testing wildlife tracking, 3D printing in open space, open-source software and hardware and science missions looking for the most energetic explosions in the universe, the passengers on Ariane 6's first flight are a testament to the rocket's adaptability, complexity, and its role for the future – launching any mission, anywhere.

"Ariane 6 was designed and developed to secure Europe's independent access to space," explains Toni Tolker-Nielsen, ESA's Director of Space Transportation.

"With the first launch of this new heavy-lift rocket, Europe is back in space. Space activities are becoming an integral part of any modern economy, Ariane 6 will ensure Europe is not missing out and will serve its exploration and scientific missions".

posted 07-10-2024 06:40 AM               

Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket powers into space

Europe's new heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6, made its inaugural flight from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana at 16:00 local time on 9 July (20:00 BST, 21:00 CEST, 3:01 p.m. EDT).

Ariane 6 is the latest in Europe's Ariane rocket series, taking over from Ariane 5, and featuring a modular and versatile design that can launch missions from low-Earth orbit and farther out into deep space.

"A completely new rocket is not launched often, and success is far from guaranteed. I am privileged to have witnessed this historic moment when Europe's new generation of the Ariane family lifted off – successfully – effectively reinstating European access to space," said ESA's Director General Josef Aschbacher.

"An inaugural launch is a huge undertaking from thousands of people who have worked relentlessly for years. To see it perform wonderfully at the first attempt is testament to their dedication and a demonstration of European excellence in engineering and technology. Heartfelt thanks go to the teams at ESA, CNES, ArianeGroup and Arianespace for their hard work to get to this point. I also want to sincerely thank our Member States for having enabled and supported the Ariane 6 programme along the way. Not always easy, but the endurance shown has paid off handsomely today."

Above: Ariane 6 launches to the sky on 9 July 2024 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. (ESA/S. Corvaja)

This inaugural flight, designated VA262, is a demonstration flight whose aim is to show the capabilities and prowess of Ariane 6 in escaping Earth's gravity and operating in space. Nevertheless, it had several passengers on board.

At 21:06 BST, 22:06 CEST, one hour after liftoff, the first set of satellites on board Ariane 6 were released from the upper stage and placed into an orbit 600 km above Earth. Satellites and experiments from various space agencies, companies, research institutes, universities and young professionals were included on this inaugural flight.

In addition to the rocket, the liftoff demonstrated the functioning of the launch pad and operations on the ground at Europe's Spaceport. The new custom-built dedicated launch zone was built by France's space agency CNES and allows for a faster turnover of Ariane launches.

On the occasion of the launch, Philippe Baptiste, CEO of CNES, said: "With this first successful launch by Ariane 6, Europe has finally recovered its capacity to access space. Beyond the great emotion I am feeling right now, my first thoughts are for all the teams in Kourou, Paris, Vernon, Les Mureaux, Toulouse, Bremen, Lampoldshausen, Liège, Barcelona, Colleferro, Zürich and everywhere else in Europe who made this success possible. I would like to acknowledge the commitment of the employees of CNES, ESA, ArianeGroup, Arianespace and our subcontractors. The last few months have been intense, and I would like to thank them all. Europe can be proud of its space programme, Europe can be proud of its knowledge and expertise. Together, let's prepare the future of launchers and space."

Ariane 6 was built by prime contractor and design authority ArianeGroup. "With the successful first flight of Ariane 6, the European space industry has moved into a new era," said Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup. "This historic launch demonstrates the unfailing commitment of our teams and partners, whom I would like to thank warmly for this success, which reflects on the entire European industry. Seeing Europe's new launcher lift off into space marks the culmination of an outstanding technical and technological adventure, and the beginning of a long history of Ariane 6 operations. The next flight models are already in production and the stages of the second model will be shipped to the Guiana Space Centre this autumn for the first commercial flight of Ariane 6."

With the placement of satellites into orbit, Ariane 6 has demonstrated that it can successfully launch its payloads into space, but ground control had more in store for its inaugural flight. Ariane 6's upper stage was to also show again that it could restart its Vinci engine using the auxiliary propulsion unit. This restart capability, which did not go as planned, will allow Ariane 6 to drop off multiple passengers into different orbits on future flights and deorbit itself through Earth's atmosphere at the end of its mission, to ensure it does not become space debris.

On this flight the Ariane 6 upper stage was also set to release two reentry capsules as it entered Earth's atmosphere for a clean disposal to burn up harmlessly, leaving no space debris in orbit.

The next Ariane 6 is planned for launch this year on its first commercial flight under Arianespace as operator and launch service provider. "The success of this first flight marks the start of Ariane 6's operational career, giving Europe an autonomous access to space," added Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace. "The new launcher's order book is proof of the versatility of Ariane 6 and of its capacity to accomplish a wide range of missions into multiple orbits. It reflects the confidence that customers have in Ariane 6 for both their institutional and commercial missions. We are eager to begin operating our new launcher."