Ariane 6

A contract signed in Berlin between ArianeGroup and MT Aerospace covers the supply of tanks and major structural components for the upper and core stages for Ariane 6 flight models 16 to 42.

The Ariane 6 architecture described on ESA's updated article in October 2014 is a modular three-stage launcher with a solid-cryogenic-cryogenic stage arrangement and two configurations using four boosters (A64) or two boosters (A62).

Ariane 6 is intended to reduce launch prices by 40 percent compared to Ariane 5.

Arianespace signed a contract to provide an Ariane 6 launch for Galileo L18, the second pair of second-generation Galileo satellites.

The placement of the P120C boosters on the launch pad indicates the mission has entered an advanced phase of the launch campaign.

The P120C is a large solid-propellant motor designed for use on Ariane 6 and as the first stage of the Vega-C launcher.

ArianeGroup transferred the four P120C boosters for the first Ariane 64 flight to the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

The transfer and positioning of the four P120C boosters on the pad are operations within the standard procedures that precede final launcher assembly and conclusive pre-flight checks.

ESA has a strategy to increase competitiveness in the launcher market, which is dominated by private operators, to ensure guaranteed access to space for Europe.

The next-generation BlueBird satellites are designed to be compatible with all major launch vehicles.

The first Pléiades Neo Next mission is expected to launch in early 2028.

MTG-S was launched on 1 July 2025.

Arianespace aims to double its Ariane 6 launch cadence to as many as eight flights over the next 12 months.

The Ariane 64 inaugural flight will be the first Ariane 6 mission to use the 20-metre-long payload fairing after previous flights used the 14-metre fairing.

In 2025 Arianespace launched four Ariane 6 flights carrying payloads for ESA, EUMETSAT, and CNES.

The inaugural flight of the Ariane 6 launch system was conducted in July 2024.

The Ariane 6 launch system's first full year of operations was 2025 and included four Ariane 62 flights.

Arianespace’s assessment indicates that Ariane 6 will have substantially greater capacity from 2028 and could deploy a complete constellation starting in 2028.

Arianespace’s assessment indicates that Ariane 6 could carry some OneWeb satellites in 2027 but could not deploy a complete OneWeb constellation in 2027.

ArianeGroup is working to quickly ramp up to its maximum launch cadence.