Ariane 6 set for first commercial flight in early 2025

Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025

Ariane 6 set for first commercial flight in early 2025
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Nov 09, 2024

ArianeGroup, Arianespace, and their partners are gearing up for the second flight of the Ariane 6 launcher, following its successful inaugural launch on July 9. The upcoming mission marks the launcher's transition into commercial service.

Key milestones in preparation for this flight include:

+ The comprehensive analysis of data from the initial flight is complete, affirming Ariane 6's strong performance. Only a few minor deviations from projections were observed, which have been analyzed and addressed. Updates to the flight software, notably for re-igniting the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and managing the upper stage's de-orbit, have been completed.

+ Production for the second flight is progressing, with the main and upper stages already integrated at ArianeGroup facilities in Les Mureaux, France, and Bremen, Germany. These components will soon be transported to French Guiana aboard Canopee, a low-carbon vessel designed for efficient and eco-friendly shipping.

+ The Ariane 6 launch complex (ELA 4) at Europe's Spaceport has been officially handed over to Arianespace and ArianeGroup. Final preparations are in full swing, ensuring readiness for the second and subsequent flights.

Arianespace anticipates the next launch to occur in mid-February 2025. The company is coordinating with customers to confirm launch schedules for 2025, with no current changes to planned dates.

"Arianespace is getting set for the first commercial launch of Ariane 6, and the next ones that will take place in 2025. We again thank our customers, the French Space Agency and the French Ministry for the Armed Forces, for their trust. We are preparing this fresh start for Europe in space with enthusiasm," stated Stephane Israel, CEO of Arianespace.

Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup, commented, "After the successful inaugural flight on July 9, the teams from ArianeGroup and its partners retrieved and analyzed millions of data points. The careful analysis enabled us to make a number of adjustments in preparation for Ariane 6's future missions and confirm the quality of development of Europe's new heavy-lift launcher and its ability to carry out all missions to all orbits. The ramp-up has now started in both our own and our partners' factories, and we are already working on the next launchers."

The Ariane 6 program, funded and managed by the European Space Agency (ESA), is spearheaded by ArianeGroup as the lead contractor and design authority. From this inaugural commercial flight onward, Arianespace will handle the marketing and operations of Ariane 6.