What is the Ariane 64 rocket's primary mission?

The Ariane 64 rocket's maiden launch aims to deploy 32 satellites for Amazon Leo's broadband constellation.

How does the Ariane 64 differ from previous Ariane 6 versions?

The Ariane 64 features four boosters, making it nearly twice as powerful and capable of carrying heavier payloads than earlier configurations.

Which countries are involved in the Ariane 6 program?

The Ariane 6 program is a collaborative effort involving 13 European nations.

Home / Science / Europe's Ariane 64 Rocket Blasts Off With 4 Boosters

Europe's Ariane 64 Rocket Blasts Off With 4 Boosters

10 Feb

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Summary

Ariane 64 rocket's maiden launch aims to deploy 32 satellites for Amazon Leo.
The rocket is twice as powerful with four boosters compared to previous versions.
Ariane 6 program is a collaborative effort involving 13 European nations.

Europe's Ariane 64 Rocket Blasts Off With 4 Boosters

Europe's powerful Ariane 64 rocket is scheduled for its debut launch on Thursday, aiming to deploy 32 satellites for Amazon Leo's broadband constellation. This flight marks the first use of the four-booster configuration, nearly doubling the power of previous Ariane 6 versions and allowing for heavier payloads.

The Ariane 6 program is a testament to European cooperation, with 13 member nations financing and developing the launcher. Manufacturing is distributed across the continent, with engine design and testing in Vernon, France, and main stage assembly in Les Mureaux, France, and Bremen, Germany. This collaborative approach aims to provide Europe with independent access to space.

The rocket, standing approximately 62 meters tall, has undergone rigorous testing to ensure reliability. The Vulcain 2.1 engine ignites first, followed by the four solid boosters, which consume 142,000 kilograms of propellant in just over two minutes. Ariane 6 was designed to halve operating costs compared to its predecessor, Ariane 5.