With the release of its most recent Ariane 6 joint update report, the European Space Agency has outlined the clearest picture yet of the timeline for the final push towards the rocket’s maiden flight.
Since May 2023, the Ariane 6 Launcher Task Force—comprising ESA, CNES, and prime contractor ArianeGroup—has published regular updates on the progress of teams working toward the maiden flight of Europe’s next-generation heavy-lift rocket. With the release of its 21 May 2024 update, the task force has outlined the most recently cleared milestones in addition to the clearest timeline yet toward the flight’s final countdown.
On April 29, teams completed the launch system qualification review, which examined all aspects of the Ariane 6 launch systems, including the launcher itself and the ground segment that supports it. The review was completed over four weeks. The launch system qualification review close-out will be completed by mid-June. This is the final step in the qualification of the Ariane 6 launch system.
The most recent milestone on the road to the Ariane 6 debut was reached on May 16, when the flight’s various payloads arrived at the Guiana Space Centre, ready for integration. The rocket’s completed upper composite, consisting of the launcher adapter, the payloads, and the fairing, will be completed and ready for transportation to the launch pad for stacking in June.
On June 18, the Ariane 6 flight model 1 wet dress rehearsal will be conducted. This process involves filling and draining both the core and upper stage propellant tanks. It is the last major milestone before the rocket’s first launch attempt.
According to the 21 May joint update report, the date for the maiden flight has been narrowed down to sometime in the first two weeks of July. A tentative date for the first launch attempt will be announced at the ILA airshow in Berlin between 5 and 9 June.
