It will take the place of the decommissioned Ariane 5 rocket, which flew more than 100 times successfully in its 27-year career.
With an estimated transport cost of $4.7 per kilogram, the Ariane 6 is anticipated to be 44% less expensive than the previous workhorse.
The rocket is on schedule to make its debut the following year after successfully completing a crucial engine burn on Thursday.
Europe’s next-generation heavy lifter, Ariane 6
A single Vulcain 2.1 engine powers the core stage of the Ariane 6 rocket, while a smaller Vinci engine powers the upper stage. For additional liftoff thrust, it can also be fitted with two or four solid rocket boosters.
The Ariane 6 was originally scheduled to launch in 2020, but due to design changes, COVID-19, and technical issues, there have been multiple delays.
There will be two versions of the rocket available.
Both heavy and light payloads for uses in meteorology, telecommunication, and Earth observation will be launched by Ariane 6.
Two versions will be offered: Ariane 64 with four strap-on boosters and Ariane 62 with two.
Payloads weighing approximately 11,500 kg in geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and 20,600 kg in low Earth orbit (LEO) can be transported by the 64 variant. The 62 model has a GTO capacity of 4,500 kg and a LEO capacity of 10,300 kg.
In contrast, Ariane 5 could rival SpaceX’s Falcon 9 by carrying 20,000 kg into low-Earth orbit.
‘Rideshare’ launches are possible for smaller satellites.
When launched with a full payload, Ariane 6 will weigh nearly 9,00,000kg, or roughly 1.5 Airbus A380 passenger aircraft.
The rocket will enable small satellites weighing less than 200 kg to “piggyback” on the primary mission with the aid of payload carriers.
Small satellite ridesharing services “will provide cost-effective launch opportunities for small companies wanting to access the growing space industry,” according to ESA.
The engine of the Ariane 6 has been altered to save money.
ESA claims that the Vulcain 2.1 engine, which powers Ariane 6, has a “simplified and cheaper design.”
The recently introduced technology in the “engine nozzle and ignition system has been moved from the engine to the launchpad structure, to make the stage perform better and cost less.”
With Falcon Heavy costing $1.6/kg and Falcon 9 costing $2.7/kg, SpaceX launches are currently more affordable. The main cause of this is reusable parts.