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Arianespace News

Arianespace was founded in 1980 as the worlds first launch Service & Solutions company. It now has 24 shareholders from 10 European countries.
ESA Space Transportation
ESA Space Transportation

ESA Space Transportation

January 29th, 2024 06:56:00 EST -0500 Everything rockets
Europe's rockets
March 26th, 2024 11:50:00 EDT -0400 Ariane 6 launches: YPSat ‘the witness’
YPSat-1 camera
March 21st, 2024 10:00:00 EDT -0400 Connecting Ariane 6 upper and core stage
Connecting Ariane 6 upper and core stage Image: Connecting Ariane 6 upper and core stage
March 20th, 2024 04:56:00 EDT -0400 First booster for Ariane 6 ready
First booster for Ariane 6 ready Image: First booster for Ariane 6 ready
March 18th, 2024 07:06:00 EDT -0400 Artist's view of the Ariane 6 flight model-1
Artist's view of the Ariane 6 flight model-1 Image: Artist's view of the Ariane 6 flight model-1
March 6th, 2024 07:15:00 EST -0500 Ariane 6 stages having a BAL
Video: 00:01:44

The two central stages for Ariane 6’s first flight are being assembled in the launcher assembly building (BAL) at Europe’s Spaceport. The core stage and the upper stage for Europe’s new rocket Ariane 6 are set to fly in the Summer of 2024. Once assembled, the stages will be transferred to the launch pad.

On the launch pad, the two stages will be raised into their vertical launch position inside the mobile assembly building. Here the two boosters for Ariane 6’s first flight will be added and then the payloads will be placed on top and be covered by the fairing – Ariane 6’s nose cone that splits vertically in two.

The stages arrived at Europe’s Spaceport on novel hybrid sail ship Canopée on 21 February after a two-week transatlantic crossing from mainland Europe.

Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage restart capability, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payload missions, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.

Access the related broadcast quality video material.

March 5th, 2024 07:25:00 EST -0500 Ariane 6 upper composite hoist
Ariane 6 upper composite hoist Image: Ariane 6 upper composite hoist
March 5th, 2024 03:15:00 EST -0500 Further contract opportunities at Europe’s Spaceport
Europe's Spaceport site entrance, Jupiter 2 building, Space Museum, Technical Centre and administration offices
March 1st, 2024 04:00:00 EST -0500 Space Team Europe: focus on Ariane 6
Video: 00:07:30

Meet the people working on the testing of Ariane 6. Europe’s next rocket, Ariane 6, has passed all its qualification tests in preparation for its first flight, and now the full-scale test model will be removed from the launch pad to make way for the real rocket that will ascend to space.

To make way for launch, teams from ArianeGroup, France’s space agency CNES and ESA have started to remove the Ariane 6 test model by disconnecting the cables and fuel lines that pass through the launch tower.

Find out about the progress being made at the end of testing by the people who know Ariane 6 best. Featuring interviews with ESA’s launch system architect Pier Domenico Resta, CNES Inspector General Bernard Chemoul, CNES Ariane 6 project manager Olivier Bugnet, ESA Launch system engineer Frank Saingou, ArianeGroup system test program manager Valérie and ArianeGroup production engineering manager Lydia Amakoud.

Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage restart capability, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payload missions, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.

February 27th, 2024 11:00:00 EST -0500 Ariane 6: Arrives
Video: 00:02:10

The largest components for the first flight model of Europe’s new rocket Ariane 6 arrived at the port of Pariacabo in Kourou, French Guiana on 21 February 2024 via the novel ship, Canopée (canopy in French).

The Ariane 6 stages and components are all manufactured across Europe. On this trip, Canopée brought the central core for Ariane 6’s first flight. The main engine and the main stage were integrated in Les Mureaux, France, while the upper stage and insulation for the rocket’s exterior were built up in Bremen, Germany.

The various Ariane 6 components are then offloaded and transported by road to the new Ariane 6 launch vehicle assembly building just a few kilometres away. Here, the launcher stages are unpacked and installed on the assembly line for integration, and finally, liftoff.

The Ariane 6 boosters are already in Europe’s Spaceport after their production in Italy, they are the same P120C solid propulsion boosters as used for Europe’s Vega-C rocket.

First the central core will be assembled horizontally after which it is transported to the launchpad. Here it will be lifted into the upright position after which Boosters and the upper stage will be added inside the mobile gantry.

This summer Flight Model-1 will be ready to let its engine rumble and fly.

 

For the full b-roll sets for launch campaign -> https://www.esa.int/esatv/Videos/2024/02/Ariane_6_inaugural_launch

and tests and development ->  https://www.esa.int/esatv/Videos/2022/08/Ariane_6_development_-_clips

February 22nd, 2024 11:00:00 EST -0500 Ariane 6 transport ship docking
Video: 00:00:53

The upper stage and main stage for the first Ariane 6 launch arrived at the port of Pariacabo in Kourou, French Guiana on the novel ship, Canopée (canopy in French) on 22 February 2024. It is the first custom-built transporter to use sails, reducing emissions and saving on fuel by up to 30%, and on this trip, it has travelled for 10 days covering over 7000 km.

The hybrid-propulsion vessel is 121 m long and has 37 m tall sails. Canopée rotates continuously between stop-offs to load each Ariane 6 stage and other parts and ship them across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe’s spaceport.

On this trip, Canopée brought the central core for Ariane 6’s first flight. Having collected the upper stage from Bremen, Germany, Canopée moved on to Le Havre, France, to load the main stage of Ariane 6.

The next-generation cargo ship has been designed for ArianeGroup to meet the complex requirements of Ariane 6 transport – the stages and engines of Ariane 6 are high-tech equipment that require delicate care during transport.

Canopée’s structure is tailored to carry large, fragile loads as well as navigate the shallow Kourou river to Pariacabo harbour. From here the various Ariane 6 components are offloaded and transported by road to the new Ariane 6 launch vehicle assembly building just a few kilometres away.

Here, the launcher stages are unpacked and installed on the assembly line for integration, and finally, liftoff.

Access the related broadcast quality video material.

February 22nd, 2024 01:20:00 EST -0500 Ariane 6 ready for unloading
Ariane 6 ready for unloading Image: Ariane 6 ready for unloading
February 19th, 2024 14:00:00 EST -0500 Rocket on the move – Ariane 6 main stage transport timelapse
Video: 00:01:27

A timelapse of the main stage for the first Ariane 6 rocket as it left the ArianeGroup assembly hall in Les Mureaux, France, on 6 February 2024.

The main stage was constructed in Les Mureaux, France, at ArianeGroup’s assembly hall. After liftoff the main stage for Ariane 6 will fire its Vulcain 2.1 engine and provide steering for eight minutes on the rocket’s ascent into space.

The upper and main stage form the central core of Ariane 6 and are transported to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana by ship. The two stages are connected horizontally at before being transport the final few kilometres to the launch area and lifted upright.

Once upright, two boosters will be added for Ariane 6’s first flight; they are already in French Guiana. Lastly, the upper composite fairing – a nosecone that splits vertically in two – and the payloads will be attached on the launch pad.

Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage restart capability, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payload missions, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.

Access the related broadcast quality video material.

February 19th, 2024 05:04:00 EST -0500 PLD Space gets even more Boost!
Miura 5
February 14th, 2024 06:37:00 EST -0500 Goodbye, Ariane 6 test model
Ariane 6