European Space Agency (ESA) and customer announcements

Europe's Ariane 6 Rocket Successfully Launches for the First Time on July 9 at 19:00 UTC

Jul 9, 2024, 07:14 PM

After years of delays and a development period spanning nearly a decade, Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket successfully launched for the first time on July 9, 2024, at 19:00 UTC. The launch took place from the European Space Agency's (ESA) spaceport in French Guiana. Weighing 540 tonnes and standing 56 meters tall, the Ariane 6, which replaces the recently retired Ariane 5, aims to restore Europe's independent access to space. The rocket's inaugural flight marks a significant milestone for Europe's space ambitions, offering a competitive alternative to Elon Musk's SpaceX. The mission included the deployment of 9 satellites, several CubeSats, and the testing of the rocket's new upper stage reignition feature. Despite a minor anomaly with the Auxiliary Propulsion Unit (APU) during the demonstration phase, the launch was largely deemed a success. The Ariane 6 is expected to carry out 30 missions, with its next flight already being highly anticipated.