Imgage: ArianeGroup
The eagerly awaited inaugural flight of the Ariane 6, Europe’s next-generation heavy launcher, moves one step closer to reality as its core and upper stages begin their journey to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Departing from the port of Le Havre, France, aboard the Canopée sailing ship, these critical components are expected to arrive at their destination by the end of February.
Manufactured and rigorously tested by ArianeGroup at facilities in Les Mureaux, France, and Bremen, Germany, the stages will be integrated at the Launcher Assembly Building (BAL) in Europe’s Spaceport. There, they will be assembled to form the central core of the launcher, a pivotal milestone in preparation for the inaugural flight scheduled between June 15 and July 31, 2024.
Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup, emphasized the significance of this delivery, stating, “Delivery of the stages for this first Ariane 6 is a crucial step along the road to the inaugural flight and then to commercial operation of the European heavy launcher.” Acknowledging the collaborative effort of ArianeGroup and its industrial partners, Sion expressed gratitude for their dedication in advancing the Ariane 6 program.
The cryogenic upper stage, featuring the Vinci® engine, is prepared at ArianeGroup’s Bremen site, while the cryogenic core stage, housing the Vulcain 2.1 engine, is processed at the Les Mureaux facility. Following integration and functional tests, the stages commenced their voyage, with the upper stage departing from Bremen on February 5 and the core stage from Les Mureaux on February 10.
Upon arrival at the port of Pariacabo in Kourou, French Guiana, the stages will be unloaded and transferred to the Launcher Assembly Building for final assembly. Subsequently, the central core will be transported to the launch pad, where it will be erected vertically and joined by two boosters to configure an Ariane 62 variant. Concurrently, the upper composite, comprising the fairing and payloads, will be integrated into the launcher.
The Ariane 6 program, overseen and funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), underscores Europe’s commitment to space exploration and commercial satellite deployment. With ArianeGroup spearheading development and production, supported by a network of industrial partners, the program aims to meet the demands of Arianespace’s institutional and commercial clientele.
As preparations for the inaugural flight intensify, anticipation mounts for the historic moment when the Ariane 6 takes flight, ushering in a new era of space exploration and satellite deployment.
Source: ArianGroup