Ariane 6 first flight highlights

Europe’s new rocket Ariane 6 powered into space on 9 July 2024 from a newly built dedicated launch pad in French Guiana. Liftoff occurred at 16:00 local time (20:00 BST, 21:00 CEST).

Europe’s new rocket Ariane 6 powered Europe into space taking with it a varied selection of experiments, satellites, payload deployers and reentry demonstrations that represent thousands across Europe, from students to industry and experienced space actors.

This inaugural flight, designated VA262, is a demonstration flight to show the capabilities and prowess of Ariane 6 in escaping Earth's gravity and operating in space. Nevertheless, it had several passengers on board.

Ariane 6 was built by prime contractor and design authority ArianeGroup. In addition to the rocket, the liftoff demonstrated the functioning of the launch pad and operations on ground at Europe's Spaceport. The new custom-built dedicated launch zone was built by France's space agency CNES and allows for a faster turnover of Ariane launches.

Ariane 6 is Europe’s newest heavy-lift rocket, designed to provide great power and flexibility at a lower cost than its predecessors. The launcher’s configuration – with an upgraded main stage, a choice of either two or four powerful boosters and a new restartable upper stage – will provide Europe with greater efficiency and possibility as it can launch multiple missions into different orbits on a single flight, while its upper stage will deorbit itself at the end of mission.

ESA’s main roles in the Ariane 6 programme is as contracting authority – managing the budget from Member States participating in the Ariane 6 development programme; and as launch system architect – ensuring that the rocket and launch pad infrastructure work together.

Ariane 6 is the latest in Europe's Ariane rocket series, taking over from Ariane 5 featuring a modular and versatile design that can launch missions from low-Earth orbit and farther out to deep space.

Credits: ESA - European Space Agency

#ESA #Ariane6 #Rocket

[seanchang]

I like the way the faring “fly” away, just like a happy kid. 😊

[CensoredUsername_]

Happy to see the Ariane 6 up and running! Random point to the video editor though, for some reason the thrust sound during the initial ascent is only mixed into the left audio channel.

[WeAllLaughDownHere-neou]

Welcome back to space, Europe.

We've been waiting for you.

[VaBellaBeautz]

What an absolute treat to be able to see such footage 🥰

[aeroedxe]

Sehr schön! Habe es gestern den gesamten Abend über bis zum Ende des Livestreams verfolgt. Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Super Arbeit!

Ich finde es echt gut, dass Kameras an der Rakete montiert wurden! Das gab schöne Ansichten. Auch mit der Statusleiste am Bildrand. Ich hoffe, dass das künftig beibehalten wird, denn so ist es super interessant! Beste Grüße! :)

[shanent]

That's one way to find the eigenvalue of a fairing!

[clevergirl]

Shame about the APU failure preventing a de-orbit and stranding two re-entry capsules.
Otherwise a fantastic maiden launch!

[joependleton]

Looking so majestic, climbing up to the top of the sky, for a clean orbit. Professionally done.

[peterwilles]

It was like running away from the launch pad watching it live. It wanted to go to space. Fast rocket

[Delta-V-Heavy]

It’s not every day a new launch vehicle becomes operational, let alone one so significant and capable as Ariane 6! Congratulations to all involved; this was an absolutely spectacular launch—especially for the maiden flight of a new vehicle! I loved seeing the onboard camera views, and hope they’ll continue to show those for future launches. As a matter of interest: I was surprised that the rocket lifted off right at T-0; I had expected the sequence to be like Ariane 5, where T-0 was engine ignition and liftoff happened several seconds later. Anyone more knowledgeable than me know why this was changed for Ariane 6, with engine ignition now happening at T-7 seconds and the rocket lifting off at T-0? Just something I found interesting.

[JZsBFF]

Mes félicitations avec votre nouveau-né!
Je vous souhaite beaucoup de bonheur avec Ariane 6.

[rosswarren]

Great 1st launch. Bodes well for future launches supporting Europe. Hope to see it launch a Sierra Nevada crewed Dream Chaser space shuttle one day to a new European space station. Love the Irish company provided cameras. Great footage!

[peterwilles]

Also th sepparating of the 2 stages was amazing

[Ramen.Butterbeard]

Fantastic congratulations esa, on a good job, all the best from me in the UK 🇪🇺❤️

[annecatherinehartmann]

Bravo bravo bravo 🎉👏👏 c’est un exploit historique ! Félicitations

[SynchronizorVideos]

Always cool to see a new launch vehicle enter service. And this looks like a pretty capable one too. 11, 500 kg to GTO is no slouch.

[JackMack]

That was a great launch and maiden flight to watch! Was YPSat successful? Anxious to see any video they were able to collect and transmit.

[oljobo]

🇦🇹 🇧🇪 🇨🇿 🇩🇰 🇪🇪 🇫🇮 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇬🇷 🇭🇺 🇮🇪 🇮🇹 🇱🇺 🇳🇱 🇳🇴 🇵🇱 🇵🇹 🇷🇴 🇪🇸 🇸🇪 🇨🇭 🇬🇧

[herbiotishak]

Keep up the good work, Europe! Your scientific and technological achievements are among the things that define your civilization.

[mariamba-qolh]

I like the way that 9 yrs ago they used to do french kids channel