Space travel The Ariane 6 rocket is ready for launch

The first European launcher Ariane 6 is free on its launch pad shortly before its planned departure. This morning local time, the mobile scaffolding around the rocket was removed from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The scaffolding building is 90 meters high and weighs 8200 tons. It was rolled away on rails some 140 meters away.

Ariane 6 is the successor to Ariane 5, which was in use from 1996 until summer 2023. The new European launcher is intended to carry satellites into space for commercial and public clients and is significantly cheaper than its predecessor. The maiden flight of Ariane 6 is scheduled for 20:00 German time.

After France, Germany is the most important sponsor of the rocket among the countries of the European Space Agency Esa. The upper stage of the rocket was built at the Bremen plant of the space company Arianegroup, the main stage in Les Mureaux, France.

SDA