Ariane 6 - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Ariane 6 is a European expendable launch vehicle being developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency CNES.
- 2. It is designed to be more cost-effective and flexible compared to its predecessor, the Ariane 5, with the goal of capturing a larger share of the commercial satellite launch market.
- 3. Ariane 6 will come in two variants: the Ariane 62, which will have two solid rocket boosters, and the Ariane 64, which will have four solid rocket boosters.
- 4. The rocket will be capable of launching payloads of up to 11,500 kg to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and up to 21,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO).
- 5. Ariane 6 will be powered by a new engine called the Vulcain 2.1, which is an upgraded version of the Vulcain engine used on the Ariane 5.
- 6. The rocket will also use solid rocket boosters developed by Avio, which will improve its performance and reduce costs.
- 7. Ariane 6 is expected to have its maiden flight in 2022 from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.
- 8. The rocket will be able to carry multiple payloads on a single launch, making it more cost-effective for customers with smaller satellites.
- 9. Ariane 6 will be able to launch a wide range of missions, including commercial satellite launches, scientific missions, and interplanetary missions.
- 10. The development of Ariane 6 is part of ESA's efforts to ensure Europe's continued access to space and to maintain its competitiveness in the global launch market.