The news<\/a> follows a successful <\/span>hot-fire test<\/span> on November 23 at Europe\u2019s spaceport in French Guiana. <\/span>The term \u2018hot-fire\u2019 refers to the fact that the engine is fired with its propellants, producing actual combustion and exhaust. The only difference from an actual launch is that the boosters are not ignited<\/span> \u2014 keeping the rocket firmly planted to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWith the latest test complete, Ariane 6 has been through the essential rehearsals required for qualification,\u201d said <\/span>Aschbacher<\/span> on <\/span>X<\/span><\/a>, formerly Twitter<\/a>. \u201cWe have validated our models, increased our knowledge of operations and are now confident for our first launch period for Europe\u2019s new heavy-lift launcher.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the inaugural flight won\u2019t carry major payloads in orbit, it will transport several smaller sat<\/span>ellites. If that launch is successful, Arianespace, the company who developed the rocket, will aim for a second launch later in the year. <\/span>That second launch would carry the CSO-3 reconnaissance satellite for the French military, said the company\u2019s CEO St\u00e9phane Isra\u00ebl in a press briefing.<\/span><\/p>\n Get your ticket NOW for TNW Conference – Bring your colleagues to get the best deals<\/p>\n Unleash innovation, connect with thousands of tech lovers and shape the future on June 20-21, 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Following that, Ariane 6 would be put to work conducting as many flights as possible. The long-term objective is to launch the rocket into space 9-10 times per year, said Isra\u00ebl. These would include 18 launches for Amazon\u2019s Kuiper broadband megaconstellation project.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ariane 6 was first scheduled to launch four years ago. However, the rocket suffered a series<\/a> of <\/span>delays<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> attributed to technical issues, COVID-19, and design changes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With Ariane 6\u2019s predecessor, Ariane 5, officially <\/span>decommissioned<\/span> and Italy\u2019s Vega C rocket grounded following launch<\/span> failure<\/span><\/a> in December, Europe is currently without independent access to space satellites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So it is welcome news that Ariane 6 is on track for launch in around 6 months\u2019 time \u2014 if all goes to plan that is.\u00a0 <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
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