The ESA’s modular Ariane 6 rocket successfully launched into space from a launchpad in French Guiana at 16:00 local time (19:00 GMT). This inaugural flight, designated VA262, is basically a demonstration flight to show the capabilities and prowess of the rocket in escaping Earth’s gravity and operating in space.
After placing satellites into orbit, Ariane 6 demonstrated that it can successfully launch its payloads into space. Next, the rocket’s upper stage showed that it can restart its Vinci engine using the novel auxiliary propulsion unit. This restart capability will allow Ariane 6 to drop off multiple passengers into different orbits on future flights and deorbit itself through Earth’s atmosphere at the end of its mission.
- Interactive model – Inspire kids to build a representation of the Earth, Sun and Moon in orbit with this LEGO Technic Planet Earth and Moon in Orbit...
- Educational space toy – Kids can turn the crank to see how the Earth and the Moon orbit around the Sun
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This historic launch demonstrates the unfailing commitment of our teams and partners, whom I would like to thank warmly for this success, which reflects on the entire European industry. Seeing Europe’s new launcher lift off into space marks the culmination of an outstanding technical and technological adventure, and the beginning of a long history of Ariane 6 operations. The next flight models are already in production and the stages of the second model will be shipped to the Guiana Space Center this autumn for the first commercial flight of Ariane 6,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General.
