ESA’s Ariane 6 Rocket Finally Launches After Years of Delays

After a decade of development and multiple delays, ESA’s Ariane 6 rocket launched flawlessly from French Guiana on July 9, 2024. The rocket carried small satellites and demonstrated its Vinci engine’s ability to reignite in orbit—a key feature for flexible mission profiles.

Ariane 6 replaces the retired Ariane 5 and aims to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon 9, though it isn’t reusable. The launch marks Europe’s return to the global launch market after relying on foreign rockets since 2023. Future missions will deploy Galileo navigation satellites and support ESA’s lunar ambitions.

“Ariane 6 is Europe’s ticket back to space autonomy.” 

— Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General.

• Rocket on the pad at dawn
• Vinci engine test footage
• Mission control screens