Europe’s new rocket, Ariane 6, is set to make its first commercial launch on Thursday, carrying a French military satellite into space. The mission comes as the continent seeks to strengthen its security and gain independent access to space.
The heavy-lift rocket was delayed multiple times due to technical issues, including a faulty valve that forced the launch to be postponed for the third time. Despite this, Ariane 6 is considered stable and safe by operators Arianespace.
Ariane 6’s first commercial mission aims to put the CSO-3 satellite into orbit at an altitude of around 800 kilometers above Earth. This marks a significant step forward for Europe’s space industry, which has struggled to compete with SpaceX in recent years.
Europe needs Ariane 6 to ensure its own security, as the continent relies on fewer military satellites compared to major powers like the US and China. The European Space Agency is urging operators to increase launch frequencies to 12 per year, up from five planned this year.
Strict security measures were taken for the mission, including French fighter jets patrolling the surrounding skies. A successful launch will mean Europe can independently put large satellites into orbit, a crucial step in bolstering its defenses.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-03-european-rocket-aims-commercial-delays.html