Published on 2024/03/22
The Ariane 6 Launcher Task Force 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.
Key milestones towards inaugural flight:
On the way towards the first flight of Ariane 6, these milestones have been conducted since the last joint update:
28 February 2024: Main and upper stage at the launcher assembly building, Kourou, French Guiana
The main and upper stage for the inaugural flight for Ariane 6 were unloaded at the launcher assembly building and integration started.
11 March 2024: First booster for inaugural flight ready, Kourou, French Guiana
The first booster for the Ariane 6 inaugural flight was integrated at the booster finishing facility and moved to the launcher integration building for storage.
13 March 2024: Test model disassembled, Kourou French Guiana
The Ariane 6 test model that stood on the launch pad for over a year and was used for qualification of the new rocket has been completely dismantled and the launch pad is now clear and ready to prepare it for the Ariane 6 inaugural flight.
14 March 2024: Start of integration of second solid booster at the booster finishing facility, Kourou, French Guiana
The second booster for the Ariane 6 inaugural flight has started to be integrated at the booster finishing facility in French Guiana.
15 March 2024: Integration of central core, Kourou, French Guiana
The upper and main stage are being connected to form the central core. The Upper Liquid Propulsion Module (ULPM) and Lower Liquid Propulsion Module (LLPM) were mated horizontally at the Bâtiment d’Assemblage Lanceur (BAL) to form the central core of Ariane 6.
Next milestones:
Inaugural launch campaign
Early April 2024: second booster for inaugural flight ready, Kourou, French Guiana
The second booster for the Ariane 6 inaugural flight will be integrated at the booster finishing facility in French Guiana.
April 2024: Verticalisation of central core, Kourou, French Guiana
Transfer of the central core from the launcher assembly building to the launch pad where it will be lifted to its vertical launch position for further assembly.
May 2024: Payloads arrive in Kourou, French Guiana
The passengers for the first Ariane 6 are set to arrive, ready for integration in May.
First flight period
ESA, CNES and ArianeGroup are targeting the first launch of Ariane 6 between 15 June and 31 July 2024.
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.
