In a landmark moment for European space exploration, Ariane 6 successfully lifted off Tuesday from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, marking its maiden flight.
The 56-meter-tall rocket, developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), carried four deployers that released nine satellites at an altitude of 600 kilometers above Earth. This successful deployment underscores ESA's commitment to advancing independent access to space.
Ariane 6 comes in two variants: Ariane 62 with two boosters, capable of launching approximately 4.5 tonnes into geostationary transfer orbit or 10.3 tonnes into low Earth orbit, and Ariane 64 with four boosters, capable of 11.5 and 21.6 tonnes respectively. Notably, the rocket features an innovative upper stage that can be restarted up to four times, allowing it to deorbit after the mission and minimize space debris.
The development of Ariane 6 began in 2014 to ensure that Europe maintains its autonomy in space endeavors following the final flight of the Ariane 5 rocket in July 2023. The successful launch of Ariane 6 signifies a new chapter in Europe's space capabilities and technological innovations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
