One sentence summary – Europe’s next-generation rocket, the Ariane-6, has successfully completed its first “hot-fire” test on its launch pad in French Guiana, marking a significant milestone in its development as it aims to improve launch efficiency and reduce costs in the competitive space industry.
At a glance
- Europe’s next-generation rocket, the Ariane-6, has completed its first “hot-fire” test on its launch pad in French Guiana.
- The Ariane-6 is Europe’s replacement for the Ariane-5, designed to be more adaptable, fly more frequently, and significantly reduce costs.
- The recent hot-fire test validated models related to exhaust gases, noise, vibration, and the rocket’s ability to abort safely.
- The Ariane-6 will operate in two configurations, with a core stage and an upper stage featuring a new Vinci engine.
- The rocket has already received orders for 28 launches, including 18 from Amazon for its Kuiper broadband internet service.
The details
Europe’s next-generation rocket, the Ariane-6, has completed its first “hot-fire” test on its launch pad in French Guiana.
The test involved a four-second ignition of the main cryogenic engine before being shut down.
A full-duration test, lasting almost eight minutes, is planned in about a month’s time to assess the rocket’s readiness for flight.
The Ariane-6, expected to have its inaugural launch sometime next year, is Europe’s replacement for the Ariane-5, which retired in July after 27 years of service.
This new rocket is designed to be more adaptable, fly more frequently, and significantly reduce costs compared to its predecessor.
Originally scheduled to enter service in 2020, the Ariane-6 has faced delays.
However, the recent hot-fire test simulated a launch sequence and validated models related to exhaust gases, noise, vibration, and the rocket’s ability to abort safely.
The Ariane-6 will operate in two configurations, with a core stage and an upper stage featuring a new Vinci engine.
The European Space Agency (ESA) leads the Ariane-6 program, collaborating with ArianeGroup, the prime contractor, and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and German Aerospace Center (DLR).
Arianespace, a subsidiary of ArianeGroup, is responsible for operating the Kourou spaceport and marketing the Ariane-6.
The rocket has already received orders for 28 launches, including 18 from Amazon for its Kuiper broadband internet service.
The first flight-capable Ariane-6 vehicle is scheduled to be shipped to French Guiana in October.
This new design was commissioned due to the unsustainable cost of producing the Ariane-5 and competition from SpaceX’s reusable Falcon rockets.
Although the Ariane-6 is expected to be at least 40% cheaper than its predecessor, it still follows an expendable design.
While Europe is working towards reusability, the necessary technologies are not expected to be available until the 2030s.
In the meantime, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is introducing even bigger rockets that promise further reductions in launch costs.
European research ministers will discuss the future needs of the continent’s launch market in a summit in November.
It’s worth noting that the UK was involved in Europe’s launcher endeavors but ended its involvement in the Ariane program in 2003.
Nevertheless, the UK’s largest satellites still utilize Ariane services.
Overall, the Ariane-6 represents Europe’s next step in space exploration, aiming to improve launch efficiency and reduce costs in the competitive space industry.
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| bbc.co.uk |
|---|
| – Europe’s next-generation rocket, the Ariane-6, has completed its first “hot-fire” test on its launch pad in French Guiana. – |
| The test involved a four-second ignition of the main cryogenic engine before being shut down. – A full-duration test lasting almost eight minutes is planned in about a month’s time to assess the rocket’s readiness to fly. – |
| The Ariane-6 is expected to have its inaugural launch sometime next year. – |
| The Ariane-5, Europe’s previous main rocket, retired in July after 27 years of service. |
| – The Ariane-6 is intended to be more adaptable, fly more frequently, and have significantly reduced costs compared to its predecessor. – |
| The rocket was originally scheduled to enter service in 2020 but has faced delays. – |
| The recent hot-fire test simulated a launch sequence and validated models about exhaust gases, noise, vibration, and the rocket’s ability to abort safely. – |
| The Ariane-6 will operate in two configurations, with a core stage and an upper stage with a new Vinci engine. – |
| The European Space Agency (ESA) leads the Ariane-6 program, with ArianeGroup as the prime contractor and collaboration with the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and German Aerospace Center (DLR). |
| – Arianespace, a subsidiary of ArianeGroup, is responsible for operating the Kourou spaceport and marketing the Ariane-6. |
| – |
| The Ariane-6 has received orders for 28 launches, including 18 from Amazon for its Kuiper broadband internet service. – |
| The first flight-capable Ariane-6 vehicle will be shipped to French Guiana in October. – |
| The new design was commissioned due to the unsustainable cost of producing the Ariane-5 and competition from SpaceX’s reusable Falcon rockets. – |
| The Ariane-6 is expected to be at least 40% cheaper than the Ariane-5 but remains an expendable design. |
| – Europe is working towards reusability but the necessary technologies will not be available until the 2030s. |
| – Elon Musk’s SpaceX is introducing even bigger rockets that promise further reductions in launch costs. |
| – European research ministers will discuss the future needs of the continent’s launch market in a summit in November. – |
| The UK was involved in Europe’s launcher endeavors but ended its involvement in the Ariane program in 2003. |
| – However, the UK’s largest satellites still use Ariane services. |
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