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Contracts were awarded to ArianeGroup and Isar Aerospace for the development of their respective proposals from Phases 0/A through B1.
ArianeGroup proposed using boosters derived from the first stage of the small launch vehicle being developed by MaiaSpace.
The proposed evolution of Ariane 6 would use reusable boosters derived from a rocket being developed by MaiaSpace, a subsidiary of ArianeGroup.
In late 2024, ArianeGroup was selected for the European Space Agency’s Boosters for European Space Transportation (BEST!) initiative.
ArianeGroup acts as prime contractor for the SkyHopper project, while MaiaSpace serves as subcontractor and launch operator.
The LRBs would have been derived from the Themis reusable booster demonstrator, which ArianeGroup is developing under an ESA contract.
ArianeGroup’s submission proposed substituting solid-fuel expendable boosters of Ariane 6 with boosters that could be recovered and reused.
ArianeGroup's proposal is a version of a concept first presented in 2022 as a potential evolution of Ariane 6.
ArianeGroup explained that a Liquid Reusable Booster (LRB) could replace the P160C solid-fuel booster as a 'plug-and-play' alternative.
ArianeGroup has proposed an evolution of its Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket that would utilize reusable boosters derived from the first stage of the rocket being developed by its subsidiary, MaiaSpace.
ArianeGroup has proposed an evolution of Ariane 6 as part of ESA’s BEST! initiative.
Toni Tolker-Nielsen stated that the launch rate for Ariane 6 is expected to double in 2026 with eight flights planned.
Ariane 6 completed four successful flights in 2025, carrying payloads for CNES, EUMETSAT, and the European Space Agency.
ArianeGroup completed the inaugural flight of its SyLEx suborbital vehicle in 2025 under a contract with France's Directorate General of Armaments.
ArianeGroup entered 2025 having completed just a single flight of its Ariane 6 rocket following an anomaly during its inaugural flight.
Webb was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on 25 December 2021.
The Galileo satellites were launched aboard an Ariane 6 rocket at 06:01 CET.
The RFP for launch services is expected to prioritize the Ariane 6 heavy-lift vehicle to ensure European strategic autonomy.
The focus on the Ariane 6 aims to stabilize the internal EU launch cadence following its successful first commercial flight in March 2025.
The launch services RFP will likely prioritize European launch vehicles, specifically the Ariane 6.