Ariane 6 is scheduled to launch on 9 July 2024, with a launch window from 15:00-19:00 local time at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (19:00–23:00 BST, 9 July 20:00–10 July 00:00 CEST).

Ariane 6 is a European expendable launch system operated by Arianespace and developed and produced by ArianeGroup on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). It replaces the Ariane 5, as part of the Ariane launch vehicle family. This two-stage rocket utilizes liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen (hydrolox) engines. The first stage features an upgraded Vulcain engine from the Ariane 5, while the second uses the Vinci engine, designed specifically for this rocket. The first launch in 2024 used the variant Ariane 62 (A62), with two P120C solid boosters, weighs around 530,000 kg at liftoff and is mainly for government and scientific missions. It can launch up to 4,500 kg into geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) and 10,350 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO). The P120 is shared with Europe’s other launch vehicle, the Vega C, and is an improved version of the P80 used on the original Vega. Selected in December 2014 over an all-solid-fuel option, the Ariane 6 was originally targeted for a 2020 launch. However, the program encountered delays, pushing the first launch attempt to 9 July 2024. Designed to halve launch costs and increase annual capacity from seven to eleven missions compared to its predecessor, the Ariane 6 has faced criticism for its launch price and lack of reusability. European officials defend the program, saying it provides crucial independent space access for its member nations.

Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket launching for 1st time ever this week

ESA Web TV – live stream