Ariane 6 booster mockups on the launch pad

The doors of the mobile gantry are open to show two ‘dummy’ versions of the P120C Ariane 6 boosters filled with water instead of fuel sitting on the launch table at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou in French Guiana.

The mobile gantry weighs 8200 tonnes and is 90 metre-high. It will house Ariane 6 before launch. Platforms inside the gantry will allow engineers access to the rocket for integration and maintenance. The mobile gantry is retracted before launch.

Flame trenches on either side of the gantry will funnel the exhaust at liftoff.

Four lightning masts around the launch pad protect against lightning strikes.