Maiden commercial flight of Europe's Ariane 6 rocket postponed
"Due to further operations needed on a ground means interfacing with the launcher, the launch is postponed," the rocket operator Arianespace announced just half an hour before the planned start time on Monday. "The new launch date will be announced following the completion of these operations," it posted on X.
The rocket was already positioned at its launch site at the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, and the mobile work platform around the rocket had already been removed for the planned flight.
The Ariane 6 is crucial for Europe's independent access to space. It allows Europe to independently launch larger satellites into space. The rocket completed its maiden flight last summer.
The Ariane 6 is the successor model to the Ariane 5, which was in operation from 1996 to the summer of 2023. The rocket is intended to transport satellites into space for commercial and public clients. Depending on the orbit, it can carry up to 21.6 metric tons.
In fact, the Ariane 6 was supposed to launch into space in 2020. However, there were repeated delays. The rocket eventually lifted off with a four-year delay.
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