Europa's Ariane 6 to reclaim independence with inaugural launch

The inaugural flight of Europe's largest launch vehicle, Ariane 6, is scheduled for July 9. The rocket will launch from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana and carry 18 payloads. Scanway has supplied a dual-camera optical system that will enable the monitoring of two critical phases of the flight.

The Ariane 6 flight is a significant test for Europe, aiming to regain independence in space transportation capabilities. These were lost with the retirement of the Ariane 5 rocket in 2023, which participated in 117 flights over its 27-year career, with 112 successful. Ariane 6 is intended to facilitate the placement of payloads into orbit and increase competitiveness in commercial flights, a sector currently dominated by SpaceX and its Falcon 9 rocket.

"Following the end of Ariane 5 flights, ESA had to rely on external services, which involved additional costs and dependence on other companies' schedules. The advent of Ariane 6 restores full control over European space activities, allowing payload launches on our terms and at convenient times. By having its rocket, the European industry also minimizes potential geopolitical and commercial risks and increases security by being able to carry out strategic space projects," explains Maciej Myśliwiec from Space Agency.

The expert adds that Ariane 6 was designed to be more economical and flexible, enabling the execution of various missions, from commercial satellites to scientific programs across multiple weight categories. "This will also broaden the spectrum of possible payloads and release 'in-house' launch capabilities," notes our interlocutor. During the mission scheduled for July 9, Ariane 6 will carry 18 payloads provided by space agencies, research institutes, companies, and universities. One will be the YPSat (Young Professionals Satellite), which is equipped with Scanway cameras.

Work on Ariane 6 began in 2014. During the rocket's development, ESA collaborated with space industries from 13 European countries, and its main contractor was ArianeGroup – a joint venture between Airbus Defence and Space and Safran. Ariane 6 will be available in two versions depending on the power required for each flight.

The first of these - the Ariane 62 variant - has two solid-fuel rocket boosters, a height of 56 metres, and a lift-off mass of 544,300 kilograms. The Ariane 64 version will have four rocket boosters, a height of 62 metres, and a lift-off mass of 862,000 kilograms. The first variant can carry about 10,300 kilograms to low Earth orbit and 4,500 kilograms to geostationary orbit. The second can carry 21,600 kilograms to low Earth orbit and 11,500 kilograms to geostationary orbit.