Ariane 6 joint update report, 21 June 2024
The Ariane 6 Launcher Task Force consists of top management of ESA, as the overall Ariane 6 procuring entity and launch system architect, of the French space agency CNES as the launch base prime contractor, of ArianeGroup as the launcher system prime contractor and of Arianespace as the launch service provider. This group reports regularly on progress being made towards inaugural flight of the new Ariane 6 launcher.
Key milestones towards inaugural flight:
14 June: Ariane 6 qualification review close-out
The closing of all aspects of the qualification for the Ariane 6 launch system, launch base and launcher system was approved. This was the final step of the launch system qualification to authorise the inaugural flight of Ariane 6.
14 June: Upper composite transfer, and integration on the launcher, Kourou, French Guiana
The upper composite, consisting of the launcher adapter, the payloads and the fairing for Ariane 6 flight model-1 were moved from the encapsulation hall to the launch pad and placed on top of the launcher.
20 June: Ariane 6 flight model-1 wet dress rehearsal, Kourou, French Guiana
The Ariane 6 flight model-1 was fuelled on the launchpad and subsequently drained of fuel in preparation for launch. The wet dress rehearsal included a full countdown to launch stopping as planned just a few seconds before a lift-off. This allows teams to improve and fine tune the launch system using the actual flight hardware and software in view of the inaugural flight. In parallel the chronology was accompanied by a rehearsal of the launch range that was configured for the inaugural flight of Ariane 6.
The data gathered from the wet dress rehearsal will take at least a week to analyse in full and results will be communicated in the next task force update.
Next milestones:
9 July: First target launch date of Ariane 6, Europe’s Spaceport, French Guiana
The launch date of Ariane 6 is targeted for 9 July 2024 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana
Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage restart capability, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payload missions, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.