Ariane 6 Rocket Arrives at Launch Pad in French Guiana for Inaugural Flight

The core first stage and upper stage of the first Ariane 6 rocket have been lifted vertically onto the launch pad in French Guiana in preparation for the rocket's inaugural launch, anticipated to occur in June or July 2024. The next steps will involve attaching two strap-on boosters and the payloads, which include 18 different smallsats and two test re-entry capsules, to the core stage.

The Ariane 6 is a versatile rocket that comes in two versions and features a reignitable upper stage, allowing it to launch multiple satellites on a single flight as well as perform missions requiring a "heavy lift" to the Moon and beyond. On its first flight, the rocket will carry several satellites, deployers, and experiments from space agencies, companies, research institutes, universities, and young professionals.

On April 24, 2024, the central core for the Ariane 6 was moved to the launch pad, about 800 meters from the launcher assembly building. Using choreographed movements by two automated vehicles and a crane, the core, consisting of the main and upper stages, was raised to a vertical launch position and placed on the launch table. It was then rotated to align the fluid connections with the launch pad umbilicals that will supply the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel.

The initial booster that will power the Ariane 6 "flight model-1" rocket was transported on April 25, 2024 from the booster storage facility in Kourou to the launch zone, with the second booster set to be transported the following day. Each P120C booster is 13.5 meters long, 3.4 meters wide, and filled with 142 tonnes of solid rocket fuel. Together, the boosters will provide the majority of the thrust needed to launch the Ariane 6, firing for up to 130 seconds and providing 4500 kN of thrust to reach an altitude of about 70 km.

Why this matters: The inaugural launch of the Ariane 6 signifies a notable achievement for Europe's space program, as the rocket is designed to provide greater power and flexibility at a lower cost than its predecessors. The successful deployment of the Ariane 6 will enhance Europe's capabilities in launching a wide range of payloads, from satellites to missions to the Moon and beyond.

Among the payloads on the Ariane 6's first flight will be the OOV cube, a 10-by-10-inch nanosatellite developed by the Technical University of Berlin and Berlin-based company RapidCubes. The OOV cube mission aims to test wildlife tracking technology, the Internet of Things, and new satellite technologies such as perovskite solar cells, a wide-angle camera with autofocus, and an L-band radio system for satellite communications. The launch of the OOV cube on the Ariane 6 is a significant achievement for the Technical University of Berlin, which has a proven track record of developing and operating 28 satellites over the past decades.

As the Ariane 6 rocket stands ready on the launch pad in French

Key Takeaways

• Ariane 6 rocket's core stage and upper stage lifted onto launch pad in French Guiana.
• Ariane 6 is a versatile rocket with reignitable upper stage for multiple satellite launches.
• First Ariane 6 flight will carry 18 smallsats and 2 test re-entry capsules.
• Ariane 6 booster rockets, each 13.5m long, provide 4500 kN of thrust for launch.
• Ariane 6 inaugural launch is a significant achievement for Europe's space program.