After many long hours, working through the night, plenty of sacrifices, tense moments during countdown and hot-fire tests – as well as months spent in masks and keeping a safe distance during the COVID-19 pandemic – Space Team Europe has done it. Ariane 6 took flight on 9 July 2024 and restored Europe’s autonomous access to space.

Thousands of people from different backgrounds, with different nationalities and speaking different languages all united around a shared vision: taking Europe to space.

Thank you Space Team Europe for your commitment, incredible team spirit and expertise. Go Ariane 6!

Ariane 6 launched on 9 July 2024 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana at 16:00 local time (20:00 BST, 21:00 CEST). Europe’s newest heavy-lift rocket, it is designed to provide great power and flexibility at a lower cost than its predecessors.

The launcher’s configuration – with an upgraded main stage, a choice of either two or four powerful boosters and a new restartable upper stage – will provide Europe with greater efficiency and possibility as it can launch multiple missions into different orbits on a single flight.

Find more videos from Space Team Europe for Ariane 6.

Find more videos from Space Team Europe.