[Ariane 6] The date of the maiden flight is firming up

The Ariane 6 launcher working group includes representatives from ESA’s Directorate General, as the entity responsible for the Ariane 6 programme and launch system; the CNES, as the launch site prime contractor; ArianeGroup, as the launch vehicle system prime contractor; and Arianespace, as the launch service provider. This group reports regularly on progress being made towards the maiden flight of the new Ariane 6 launcher.

In preparation for Ariane 6’s maiden flight, two additional tests have been conducted since the last joint update:

23 October 2023: Combined tests, Kourou, French Guiana

With the combined test 2.1 (CTLO 2.1), the Ariane 6 teams rehearsed a full launch sequence for the third time. This test focused on the robustness of the system and on how well Ariane 6 and its teams handle situations outside the usual parameters, with operations performed at night, during the coolest hours. 

The test, which lasted more than 30 hours, consisted of executing a full launch sequence along with qualification tests on several launch system functions, including the ventilation of cavities, launch site interfaces and environmental characterisation.

23 November 2023: Combined tests, long hot-fire test of the main stage with the Vulcain 2.1 engine, Kourou, French Guiana

The long hot-fire test (CTHF) was carried out using the Ariane 6 test model on the launch pad at Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana. This was a full-scale rehearsal of a complete launch sequence, followed by more than 7 minutes of stabilised operation covering the entire flight phase of the launcher’s main stage.

These operations lasted around 24 hours, with engine ignition 12 hours after starting operations.

The test sequence was a resounding success: all functional aspects were tested and worked as expected. The test covered all the elements required for qualification.

7 December 2023: Upper stage firing test, Lampoldshausen, Germany

This firing test of the upper stage (HFT4), scheduled to take place at the Lampoldshausen test centre of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), will examine stage behaviour for different types of mission, explore alternative operating and flight conditions and test the operation of the stage under degraded conditions.

15 December 2023: Combined tests (CTLO3), Kourou, French Guiana

The teams are working towards another combined test sequence (CTLO3), scheduled for 15 December 2023. Once again, this is a test representative of the launch sequence, designed to anticipate degraded situations to ensure that the launcher is sufficiently robust and to prepare it for operation. The test will end with a brief ignition of the main stage engine.

Launch period for the maiden flight

ESA, CNES and ArianeGroup are targeting a date between mid-June and the end of July 2024 for Ariane 6’s maiden flight.