The European Space Agency’s (ESA) giant Ariane 6 rocket remains firmly on track for a test launch in June-July 2024.

The test flight confirmation came from the Ariane 6 Launcher Task Force, which consists of top management of ESA, as the overall Ariane 6 procuring entity and launch system architect, of the French space agency CNES, as the launch base prime contractor, of ArianeGroup as the launcher system prime contractor and of Arianespace as the launch service provider. This group reports regularly on progress being made towards inaugural flight of the new Ariane 6 launcher.

As part of the progress, ESA reported that a successful test launch sequence was carried out on December 15 which went well. This test sequence included qualification tests of several launch system functions in case of aborted launch and included one ignition of the Vulcain 2.1 engine thrust chamber. This was the fifth countdown run to include loading Ariane 6 with cryo-propellants since July.

At the end of January 2024 there is scheduled a rehearsal of disconnecting the upper and lower fuelling arms that support the umbilicals that supply Ariane 6 with liquid hydrogen and oxygen. The same umbilicals allow the propellant to be drained safely if a launch is aborted.

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Categories: Articles, Satellite

Tags: Ariane 6, ArianeGroup, Arianespace, ESA