The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
Artist's view of an Ariane 6 with two boosters, known as Ariane 62, as it flies into space from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
Ariane 6 is the latest in the Ariane rocket series, taking over from Ariane 5 with a design that will launch massive missions to low-Earth orbit and shoot intrepid explorers far, far out to deep space.
From solid rocket boosters to an entirely new reignitable engine, what’s going on inside Ariane 6?
Ariane 6 stands at 56-62 m high depending on the size of the passenger its launching. It is taller (and straighter) than the Leaning Tower of Pisa When carrying its cargo or ‘payload’ it will weigh almost 900 000 kg (900 tonnes), roughly equivalent to two fully loaded Boeing 747-8 airplanes.
Ariane 6 has a modular structure consisting of three main portions stacked on top of each other: a main stage with either two or four boosters, an upper (orbital) stage and the payload in its fairing.
The new rocket will be available in two versions depending on the amount of thrust required: the Ariane 62 has two P120C boosters and the Ariane 64 has four, providing extra boost for heavier payloads or destinations further afield.