Europe's Ariane-6 rocket launches successfully despite anomaly

Europe's highly anticipated Ariane-6 rocket successfully launched on its maiden flight from a launchpad in French Guiana on July 9.

The rocket, developed at a cost of four billion euros ($4.3 billion), embarked on a demonstration mission aimed at deploying a cluster of satellites into orbit, Caliber.Az reports citing the European Space Agency's message on X.

Amid applause from ground crews in Kourou, Ariane-6 lifted off at 16:00 local time (19:00 GMT). The initial stages of the flight proceeded smoothly, with the rocket achieving the desired altitude and successfully releasing several small satellites into their intended orbits.

However, towards the end of the mission, the upper-stage of the rocket encountered an anomaly. Computers onboard made the decision to prematurely shut down the auxiliary power unit (APU), which pressurizes the propulsion system. This unexpected shutdown prevented the upper-stage from initiating the burn necessary to bring it out of orbit and complete the final task of the mission – jettisoning two re-entry capsules.

Despite this setback, mission controllers declared the overall flight a success.

The Ariane-6 rocket represents Europe's latest advancement in space launch technology, designed to enhance the continent's capabilities in accessing space and delivering payloads into orbit. While the anomaly during the upper-stage operation is being reviewed, the successful deployment of satellites underscores a significant milestone for European space exploration.

The European Space Agency and its partners will analyze data from the maiden flight to address any issues and prepare for future missions with the Ariane-6 rocket, aiming to solidify its position as a reliable workhorse for space launches in the years ahead.

Ariane-6 is Europe's latest heavy-lift rocket developed under the auspices of the European Space Agency (ESA). Designed to replace the Ariane 5 launcher, Ariane-6 aims to enhance Europe's competitiveness in the global commercial launch market by offering increased payload capacity and cost efficiency.

The development and launch of Ariane-6 underscore Europe's commitment to advancing space technology and maintaining leadership in the global space industry, contributing to scientific research, telecommunications, Earth observation, and beyond.