Europe's Ariane 6 launcher is to carry out its first commercial mission Monday when it puts a French military intelligence satellite into space.
After several postponements, the launch of the European Space Agency (ESA) satellite launcher Ariane 6 from the Kourou base in French Guiana is expected at 1:24pm local time (4:24pm GMT).
Ariane 6, which underwent a successful test in July, was first scheduled to launch in December, but it was postponed to the end of February, then t 3 March because of problems getting the satellite to Kourou.
“The additional operations on the ground means are now completed,” Arianespace said, and the rocket is ready.
European space autonomy
The launch is part of Europe’s efforts to build up its security autonomy amid the rapprochement between the United States and Russia.
Since Ariane 5 was retired in 2023, Europe has been unable to launch heavier satellites, as Russia stopped allowing use of its Soyuz rocket in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Russia, which said it would leave the International Space Station, announced on Monday that Soyuz had launched with a “spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Defence Ministry”, state RIA news agency reported, citing the Russian Defence Ministry
Soyuz is launched as needed for space missions, including carrying equipment and astronauts to the International Space Station.
High security
Given the military role of the satellite being launched by Ariane 6, strict security precautions are being taken to limit access to the Kourou base. Three Rafale fighter jets will patrol the surrounding skies.
The military satellite will join two others already in orbit, carried by Soyuz in 2018 and 2020.
Some of the images taken by CSO-3 will be shared with the German and Belgian militaries that invested in the satellites, and Sweden will have access in exchange for letting France use its space research centre near the Arctic town of Kiruna.
(with AFP)
