Title: European Space Agency Set to Launch First Ariane 6 Rocket in 2024
The European Space Agency (ESA) has revealed that the highly anticipated first launch of the Ariane 6 rocket is expected to take place in the middle of 2024, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The announcement comes after a successful long-duration test firing of a model of the core stage of the Ariane 6 on November 23.
According to ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, the inaugural Ariane 6 flight is scheduled to take place between June 15 and July 31, with a more precise launch date to be determined after qualification reviews in the spring of 2024. Despite a slightly shorter burn time during the test due to a faulty sensor and “very conservative” test thresholds, all the objectives were achieved, leading to the test being hailed as a success.
To ensure a smooth and successful first launch, additional tests have been planned. An upper stage test is scheduled to occur in Germany on December 7, followed by a fueling test in Kourou on December 15. Following these tests, the flight hardware for the first Ariane 6 launch, named FM1, will be transported to French Guiana in February for final tests before the highly anticipated launch.
The inaugural launch is slated to carry several small satellites, presenting an exciting opportunity for smaller satellites to benefit from this groundbreaking mission. If the first launch proves successful, the ESA and Arianespace are aiming for a second launch before the end of 2024. This second launch would carry the CSO-3 reconnaissance satellite for the French military.
Arianespace, the company responsible for commercial launches of Ariane rockets, has ambitious goals for the future. They intend to conduct “as many flights as possible” in 2025 and ultimately strive to achieve 9 to 10 Ariane 6 launches per year.
The successful test and the recent support agreement at the European Space Summit signify the end of the “launcher crisis” that temporarily hindered Europe’s independent access to space. The support agreement includes the purchase of a total of 27 rockets after an initial purchase of 15, ensuring consistent and reliable access to space throughout the coming decade.
As the highly anticipated first launch of the Ariane 6 rocket approaches, the space community awaits eagerly, with hopes that this launch will mark the beginning of a new era in European space exploration.
