The launch of Europe’s Ariane 6 space rocket has been postponed due to an unspecified “anomaly” on the ground, according to Arianespace. The mission, set to carry out its first commercial flight, was delayed just minutes before its scheduled departure.
The latest delay brings the mission’s rescheduling to a total of at least three postponements since it was initially planned for December. The Ariane 6 rocket is designed to place France’s CSO-3 satellite in orbit, with military applications that require strict security precautions.
Europe’s reliance on space technology has become increasingly important as tensions rise between the US and Russia, prompting European nations to assert their own security capabilities. With only a handful of military satellites compared to major players like the US and China, the Ariane 6 mission aims to demonstrate strategic autonomy for Europe.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250303-satellite-launcher-set-for-blastoff-in-boost-for-europe-space-ambitions