ArianeGroup studies increasing the number of Ariane 6 launches
In Paris, France, European rocket manufacturer ArianeGroup is studying the possibility of increasing the number of launches of the Ariane 6 heavy-lift launch vehicle. This was announced by the company’s CEO Christophe Bruno, Channel NewsAsia reports.
Launch plans
On Friday, the European Space Agency said it was considering accelerating the annual launch rate of Ariane 6 and Vega-C rockets in the coming years. This is intended to help address an expected bottleneck in placing satellites into orbit.
ArianeGroup subsidiary Arianespace, which is responsible for marketing and operating launches from French Guiana, aims to reach a steady rate of nine to ten Ariane 6 launches per year from 2027.
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Investment in production
According to Bruno, ArianeGroup is discussing a possible further increase in launch rates with the European Space Agency and the supply chain, which includes around 600 companies. He identified determining the scale of investment needed to increase supplies of solid rocket fuel as the main obstacle.
Bruno noted that Ariane 6 has completed nine flights since its first mission in 2024. Arianespace CEO David Cavaillol said awareness is growing in Europe of the strategic importance of the space sector and the need not to depend on third parties for access to orbit.
European countries agreed to develop Ariane 6 in 2014 in response to intensifying competition. The rocket’s entry into service was repeatedly delayed, leaving Europe dependent on Elon Musk’s SpaceX for some launches after a series of separate setbacks.
