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Not so long ago, Ariane 5 was another way to get "up there" and put things into precise orbits. For those of us captivated by the fantastic possibilities that space offers, the Ariane story is a beautiful saga, and one that every European can be proud of. Launched on 5 July 2023, Ariane 5 took off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana for it's last mission. It was carrying a French defence satellite and a German demonstration spacecraft. This event marked not just another successful mission but also the closing chapter of the Ariane 5 era, a workhorse that has served Europe's space ambitions for over two decades. As we eagerly await the arrival of Ariane 6, this launch also serves as a timely reminder of the burgeoning competition in the European and global launch markets. It's clear that Europe needs to adopt a more "market-driven" approach to remain competitive with lower-cost providers such as SpaceX. This means not just developing new launch vehicles but also cultivating an environment where innovation thrives, and costs are driven down. It may be the final launch of its kind for Ariane 5, but it also opens the door to a new era of European space exploration - one that, we hope, is dynamic, competitive, and ready to face the challenges of the new space race. As we look forward to the advancements and opportunities that Ariane 6 will bring, let's also take a moment to appreciate the legacy of Ariane 5. It has been a symbol of European excellence in space, a true reflection of what we can achieve when we work together towards a common goal. The journey continues, and I want to believe the best is yet to come. If you love space and want to be in on the breaking inside conversations in the space economy, feel free to subscribe to my newsletter, Trailblazers. It’s the fastest-growing space newsletter and it’s free! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gfpUsDDC 🎥 Credit: awesome montage by @aerospace_cinematics_ on IG #space #ESA #Ariane #rocketlaunch #future #innovation

Ariane 6 Successfully Launched! Ariane 6, ESA's newest Rocket has successfully launched from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana just minutes ago! 🇪🇺 This milestone ensures Europe’s autonomous access to space, opening new scientific, technological, and commercial possibilities. Why is this important for India? 🇮🇳 Notably, this mission highlights significant collaboration with India. The rocket's journey is being tracked by several stations, including one in India by ISTRAC in Lucknow. Earlier this year, a MoU was signed between France and India during President Macron's visit, fostering cooperation on global satellite launches using India's LMV 3 and Ariane 6. The mission planned ahead includes three phases: Ground to Orbit : Ariane 6 lifts off with the Vulcain 2.1 engine and two P120C boosters, reaching an elliptical orbit. Upper Stage Reignition and Satellite Deployment : The Vinci engine reignites, transitioning to a circular orbit and deploying multiple satellites. Tech Demos and Deorbiting : The upper stage re-ignites, deorbits, and two reentry capsules descends to Earth. This launch marks a strong statement from the European Space Agency. Congratulations to everyone involved! 🎊 #Ariane6 #SpaceExploration #ESA #Space #Innovation

Many of us in Europe are preparing for the Ariane 6 maiden launch today, but what do you think about the recent Chinese achievements in launcher reusability? China recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting its first 10-kilometer vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) flight test of a reusable launch vehicle on June 23, 2024, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This test, which lasted six minutes, demonstrated the rocket's ability to perform vertical soft landings using a deep variable-thrust liquid oxygen-methane engine. The success of this test lays the groundwork for the maiden flight of a larger, four-meter class reusable carrier rocket scheduled for 2025, aiming to enhance launch efficiency and reduce costs through reusability. In contrast, the European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch the Ariane 6 rocket for the first time on July 9, 2024. Ariane 6, developed over nearly a decade, is designed to replace Ariane 5 and improve Europe's orbital capabilities. Unlike China's focus on reusability, Ariane 6 does not incorporate reusable boosters, as ESA determined that the current low demand for launches in Europe does not justify the economic investment in reusable technology. Ariane 6 will support a wide range of missions, including deploying multiple payloads into different orbits, and is expected to fly nine to twelve times per year by 2026. These developments highlight differing strategic approaches: China is advancing reusable technology to lower spaceflight costs, while Europe focuses on enhancing payload capacity and mission flexibility with Ariane 6. Both efforts signify important progress in global space launch capabilities. If you love space and want to be in on the breaking inside conversations in the space economy, feel free to subscribe to my newsletter, Trailblazers. It’s the fastest-growing space newsletter and it’s free! 👉 https://buff.ly/3VZIM9r 🎥 Credit: itsthemind on IG (via CASC) #space #ariane6 #europe #china #rocketlaunch #spacesustainability #spaceeconomy #spacetech

Europe's latest space endeavor, the Ariane-6 rocket, is set to make its highly anticipated inaugural flight. Developed at a cost of €4 billion (£3.4 billion), the Ariane-6 is poised to become a key player in providing independent access to space for European governments and companies. The debut mission will launch from French Guiana, aiming to deploy a collection of satellites into orbit. Despite some concerns about its expendable design in a market moving towards reusable technology, European space officials are confident in Ariane-6’s ability to secure a niche in the competitive launch industry. https://lnkd.in/dNEqfETe

🚀 Exciting news from the space industry! Rocket Lab and Astroscale Japan have successfully launched a historic mission focused on tackling the growing problem of space debris. The ADRAS-J satellite, weighing a substantial 150 kilograms, lifted off on an Electron rocket from New Zealand. This mission is significant as it's the first to perform Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) with an existing large piece of debris. The aim? To safely approach, characterize, and survey its condition. Part of a broader initiative to remove orbital debris, this mission is helping combat the more than 23,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 cm in orbit that pose a threat to the safety and sustainability of space activities. Astroscale, a pioneer in orbital debris removal, has been tasked by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to lead Phase I of the Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration program. This includes designing, manufacturing, testing, launching, and operating the ADRAS-J spacecraft. As we look to the future, Astroscale has plans for more ambitious missions including one to remove two defunct British satellites from orbit using a robotic arm. This marks an important step towards ensuring the sustainable use of space for future generations. What other applications do you think this technology might have in future space missions? #RocketLab #Astroscale #SpaceDebris #SpaceInnovation #SustainabilityInSpace

"With the placement of satellites into orbit, Ariane 6 has demonstrated that it can successfully launch its payloads into space, but ground control has more in store for its inaugural flight. Over the next hour, Ariane 6's upper stage will show again 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, to ensure it does not become space debris." https://lnkd.in/e7TGC5g6

Prompt: "Write me an article about the Ariane 6 launch" Response: "Europe's Ariane 6 Soars into Space on Maiden Voyage French Guiana, July 10, 2024 - Europe's next-generation launcher, the Ariane 6, roared to life on its inaugural flight yesterday, marking a significant milestone for the continent's space ambitions. Liftoff occurred at 4:00 PM local time (8:00 PM CEST) from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. This maiden voyage, designated VA262, was a success, demonstrating the Ariane 6's capability to escape Earth's gravity and deploy its payload into space. While primarily a test flight, the rocket carried a variety of passengers, including satellites, experiments, and deployer systems, representing collaboration between space agencies, universities, research institutions, and commercial entities across Europe. The Ariane 6 is the latest iteration in the Ariane rocket family, succeeding the workhorse Ariane 5. It boasts a modular and versatile design, capable of launching missions to various orbits, from low-Earth orbit to deeper space exploration. This first flight utilized the Ariane 62 configuration, equipped with two powerful solid boosters strapped to its core stage. Following liftoff, the boosters propelled the vehicle for about two minutes before separating, leaving the main stage to continue its ascent. Approximately an hour after launch, the upper stage released its precious cargo into their designated orbit, 600 kilometers above Earth. "A completely new rocket is not launched often, and success is far from guaranteed," commented the European Space Agency (ESA) in a press release. "This is a momentous occasion for European spaceflight." The successful launch of Ariane 6 paves the way for future missions, offering European nations a more cost-effective and adaptable launch platform for a wider range of space endeavors." https://lnkd.in/dz5EbjNy This article, written by Gemini AI, has not been edited or checked for accuracy #space #spaceexploration #NASA #ESA #europeanspaceagency #Ariane6 #spacex #boeing #satellites #spaceinfastructure #infastructure #internationalspacecooperation #internationallaw #spacelaw #newfrontier

BBC News - Ariane-6 first launch: Europe's rocket blasts off for first time Europe's big new rocket, Ariane-6, has blasted off on its maiden flight. The vehicle set off from a launchpad in French Guiana about 16:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on a demonstration mission to put a clutch of satellites in orbit. Crews on the ground in Kourou applauded as the rocket - developed at a cost of €4bn (£3.4bn) - soared into the sky. But after climbing smoothly to the desired altitude, and correctly releasing a number of small satellites, the upper stage of the rocket experienced an anomaly right at the end of the flight. Computers onboard took the decision to prematurely shut down the auxiliary power unit (APU) that pressurises the propulsion system. This left Ariane’s upper stage unable to initiate the burn that is supposed to bring it out of orbit and also set up the final task of the mission – to jettison two re-entry capsules. It was not immediately clear whether controllers would be able to fix the APU problem. Ariane-6 is intended to be a workhorse rocket that gives European governments and companies access to space independently from the rest of the world. It already has a backlog of launch contracts, but there are worries its design could limit future prospects. Like its predecessor, Ariane-5, the new model is expendable - a new rocket is needed for every mission, whereas the latest American vehicles are being built to be wholly or partially reusable. Nonetheless, European space officials believe Ariane-6 can carve out a niche for itself. https://lnkd.in/eUceuMYN