HELSINKI — Europe stands at a crucial moment as the Ariane 6 launch vehicle prepares for its maiden flight on Tuesday. The Ariane 6 launch is scheduled for 9 July between 14:00 and 18:00 Eastern Time (18:00–22:00 UTC) from the Kourou launch site in French Guiana. The European Space Agency (ESA) will stream the launch … Read more
WASHINGTON – European weather satellite operator Eumetsat has shifted the upcoming launch of a weather satellite from an Ariane 6 to a Falcon 9, a move that surprised and frustrated European space officials. In a statement late June 28, Eumetsat said the geostationary weather satellite Meteosat Third Generation-Sounder 1 (MTG-S1) will now be launched on … Read more
The first flight of the new Ariane 6 heavy-lift launch vehicle is expected on July 9, four years later than the original schedule, finally putting an end to recurring development delays and industrial setbacks. Meanwhile, with no domestic launch vehicles available, Europe has had to rely on US rival SpaceX to launch its scientific and … Read more
WASHINGTON – Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket has completed a refueling test and countdown rehearsal, marking the last major milestone before its inaugural launch in July. The European Space Agency said on June 21 that the agency and its partners had completed a wet dress rehearsal at the launch site in French Guiana the day before. … Read more