Europe’s new rocket, Ariane-6, took to the skies on its maiden flight, but not without encountering a major setback. The rocket, developed at a cost of €4bn (£3.4bn), successfully launched from French Guiana but experienced an anomaly in its upper stage towards the end of the mission.
Despite the glitch, Ariane-6 is intended to be a crucial asset for European space endeavors, providing independent access to space for governments and companies. The rocket, which comes in two configurations – “62” and “64” – boasts state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques and aims to streamline production processes.
However, Ariane-6 faces stiff competition from American rockets like Falcon 9, which offer reusability and lower launch costs. European officials are optimistic about Ariane-6’s future, citing a full order book and launch contracts to sustain operations in the coming years.
While challenges lie ahead, including the need to secure commercial customers and compete on pricing, Ariane-6 represents a significant investment by 13 European countries. The rocket’s success will be crucial in maintaining Europe’s presence in the competitive space launch market.
