Kourou, French Guiana - The Ariane 6 rocket, the newest addition to the Ariane launch vehicle family, has finally launched successfully on its maiden flight from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The rocket, developed by ArianeGroup on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), lifted off at 11:00 AM PDT on July 9, 2024, after a brief one-hour delay due to a minor data issue.
Credit: ESA
Payload
- SAT-1: A technology demonstration satellite developed by the French space agency CNES
- CNES' SCO-D spacecraft: A small satellite designed to test new technologies and validate the performance of the Ariane 6 rocket
- ESA's AST-1 spacecraft: An scientific experiment to study the Earth's atmosphere
- DLR's GEROS spacecraft: A small satellite to test new technologies and validate the performance of the Ariane 6 rocket
The total payload mass of the vehicle is around 2,270 kg (5,000 lbs), and the satellites and experiments were deployed into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of around 700 km (435 miles).
The launch of Ariane 6 marks a significant milestone for the ESA and Arianespace, as it provides Europe with an autonomous and versatile access to space. The rocket is designed to be modular and agile, with a reignitable upper stage that allows it to launch multiple missions into different orbits on a single flight.
Ariane 6 is set to replace its predecessor, Ariane 5, and is expected to halve launch costs while increasing annual capacity from seven to eleven missions. The rocket has faced criticism for its launch price and lack of reusability, but European officials defend the program, saying it provides crucial independent space access for its member states.
The Ariane 6 rocket is available in two variants: Ariane 62 and Ariane 64. Ariane 62, with two P120 solid boosters, is intended mainly for government and scientific missions, while Ariane 64, with four P120 boosters, is designed for commercial dual-satellite launches.
Infograph showing nominal mission profile of Ariane 6 rocket Credit: ESA
The Ariane 6 rocket, Europe's latest generation launch vehicle, is powered by a combination of solid and liquid rocket engines. This technological marvel is designed to provide reliable and efficient access to space.
Solid Boosters: The Ariane 6 uses two or four P120 solid boosters, depending on the configuration. Developed by ArianeGroup and its partners, these boosters are 13.5 meters tall and 2 meters in diameter, made of lightweight carbon fiber casing, and contain 23 tons of solid propellant. They provide 90% of the thrust during the first 2 minutes of flight, lifting the rocket off the launchpad with a combined force of 1.5 million pounds-force.
Liquid-Fueled Engine: The Vinci engine, developed by ArianeGroup and Safran Aircraft Engines, is a cryogenic main stage engine that burns liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. With a thrust of 180 kN and a specific impulse of 465 seconds, this reusable engine is designed to be restarted multiple times during a mission, making it efficient for propelling the rocket into orbit.
Upper Stage Engine: The HM16 engine, also developed by ArianeGroup, is a reignitable upper stage engine that burns liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. With a thrust of 20 kN and a specific impulse of 460 seconds, this engine is designed to be restarted multiple times during a mission to perform multiple burns, providing a high degree of flexibility and reusability.
Key Features:
- Combined thrust of 1.5 million pounds-force at lift-off
- Solid boosters provide high thrust-to-weight ratio
- Vinci engine provides high specific impulse
- HM16 engine provides flexibility and reusability
The successful launch of Ariane 6 is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams at ArianeGroup and its partners across Europe. The rocket is set to pave the way for commercial operations and a significant ramp-up over the next two years.
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