Ariane 6 facts for kids
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Ariane 62 (left) and Ariane 64 (right)
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| Function |
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|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ArianeGroup |
| Country of origin | European multi-national |
| Project cost | €3.215 billion |
| Cost per launch |
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| Size | |
| Height | 63 m (207 ft) |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Mass |
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| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO |
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| Payload to GTO |
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| Payload to GEO | A64: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) |
| Payload to SSO |
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| Payload to LTO |
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| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Ariane |
| Comparable | Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Terran R, H3, Vulcan Centaur |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | Guiana Space Centre, ELA-4 |
| Total launches | 2 |
| Successes | 1 |
| Partial failures | 1 (VA262) |
| First flight | 9 July 2024 |
| Last flight | 6 March 2025 |
| Boosters – P120C | |
| No. boosters | 2 or 4 |
| Diameter | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Propellant mass | 142,000 kg (313,000 lb) |
| Thrust | 3,500 kN (790,000 lbf) each |
| Total thrust |
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| Burn time | 130 seconds |
| Fuel | HTPB / AP / Al |
| First stage – LLPM | |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Propellant mass | 140,000 kg (310,000 lb) |
| Engines | 1 × Vulcain 2.1 |
| Thrust | 1,370 kN (310,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 468 seconds |
| Fuel | LOX / LH2 |
| Second stage – ULPM | |
| Diameter | 5.4 m (18 ft) |
| Propellant mass | 31,000 kg (68,000 lb) |
| Engines | 1 × Vinci |
| Thrust | 180 kN (40,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | Up to 900 seconds and four burns |
| Fuel | LOX / LH2 |
The Ariane 6 is a powerful European rocket. It was built for the European Space Agency (ESA). Many European companies, led by ArianeGroup, helped make it.
This rocket is part of the Ariane rocket family. It is now used by Arianespace to launch things into space. Ariane 6 is taking over from the older Ariane 5 rocket.
The rocket has two main parts, called stages. It uses special engines that burn liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The first stage has an improved engine from Ariane 5. The second stage uses a new engine called Vinci.
There are two versions of Ariane 6. The Ariane 62 uses two solid rocket boosters. The Ariane 64 uses four of these boosters. These boosters are also used on Europe's Vega rocket. This helps save money on making them.
Ariane 6 was chosen in 2014. It was first planned to launch in 2020. However, there were some delays. The first launch finally happened on July 9, 2024.
The first launch put satellites into space. But the rocket's upper stage had a small problem. It could not complete its final engine burn. The second launch was on March 6, 2025. This was the first time Ariane 6 launched a satellite for a customer.
Ariane 6 was designed to cost less to launch. It also aims to launch more missions each year. Some people have worried about its high cost. They also note it cannot be reused, unlike rockets from companies like SpaceX. But European officials say it's important for Europe to have its own way to get to space.
Contents
What Are the Ariane 6 Versions?
Ariane 6 comes in two main types:
- Ariane 62 (A62): This version has two P120C solid boosters. It weighs about 530,000 kg (1,170,000 lb) when it lifts off. It is mostly used for government and science missions. It can carry up to 4,500 kg (9,900 lb) to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). It can also carry up to 10,350 kg (22,820 lb) to low Earth orbit (LEO). The first launch in 2024 used this version.
- Ariane 64 (A64): This version has four P120C boosters. It weighs about 860,000 kg (1,900,000 lb) at liftoff. It is made for launching two satellites at once for businesses. It can carry up to 11,500 kg (25,400 lb) to GTO. It can also carry up to 21,500 kg (47,400 lb) to LEO.
How Ariane 6 Works
First Stage: The Main Push
The first part of Ariane 6 is called the Lower Liquid Propulsion Module (LLPM). It uses one Vulcain 2.1 engine. This engine burns liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX). The LLPM is 5.4 m (18 ft) wide. It holds about 140 tonnes (310,000 lb) of fuel.
Boosters: Extra Power for Liftoff
Ariane 6 gets extra power from solid rocket boosters. The Ariane 62 uses two, and the Ariane 64 uses four. These are called P120C boosters. Each booster has about 142,000 kilograms (313,000 lb) of fuel. They give a huge push of up to 4,650 kN (1,050,000 lbf) each. These same boosters are also used on the Vega C rocket. Sharing parts helps keep costs down.
Second Stage: Getting to Orbit
The second part of Ariane 6 is the Upper Liquid Propulsion Module (ULPM). It is also 5.4 m (18 ft) wide. It also uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This stage is powered by the Vinci engine. The Vinci engine gives 180 kN (40,000 lbf) of thrust. It can burn for up to 900 seconds and restart up to five times. The ULPM carries about 31 tonnes (68,000 lb) of fuel.
Future Upgrades: Block 2 and Block 3
Engineers are already planning stronger versions of Ariane 6.
- Block 2: This version is expected around 2026. It will use more powerful P160C boosters. The Vinci engine in the upper stage will also be stronger. This will let Ariane 6 carry about two more tons of payload to LEO.
- Block 3: This upgrade is being discussed for later. It would mainly improve the upper stage. This could help with future missions to the Moon.
Fairing: Protecting the Cargo
The payload fairing is like the rocket's nose cone. It protects the satellites inside. It is made of a strong carbon fiber material. The fairing splits into two halves when it's time to release the satellites. It comes in two sizes: a long 20-metre (66 ft) version and a shorter 14-metre (46 ft) version. Both are 5.4 metres (18 ft) wide.
History of Ariane 6
Ariane 6 was first thought of in the early 2010s. It was meant to replace the Ariane 5 rocket. Many ideas for its design were suggested between 2012 and 2015. By early 2016, different European governments agreed to help pay for it.
Contracts were then signed to start building and testing parts. The first flight was planned for 2020. But the project faced several delays. The launch date moved to 2021, then 2022, then 2023, and finally to 2024.
The first launch, called VA262, happened on July 9, 2024. It successfully put some satellites into orbit. However, the mission had a small issue with the upper stage.
Building the Rocket
Unlike older Ariane rockets, Ariane 6 is put together differently. Its main parts are built horizontally in France. Then, they are shipped to Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. There, they are stood upright and connected to the boosters and satellites.
This new way of building was inspired by Russian rockets. It aims to cut production costs in half. The goal is to build 12 rockets a year. This would double the number of launches compared to Ariane 5.
New technologies are also used. For example, some engine parts are made with 3D printing. Ariane 6 is also the first large rocket to use a special laser ignition system.
Future Ideas for Ariane 6
Scientists are always thinking about how to make rockets better.
- Reusable Stages: Some ideas involve making parts of the rocket reusable. This means the first stage could land back on Earth after launch. This could save money, but it's also very complex.
- New Engines: There's a project called Prometheus. It aims to create a new engine that costs much less. This engine might burn methane instead of liquid hydrogen. It could also be reused multiple times.
- Human Missions: The European Space Agency is also looking into making Ariane 6 safe for astronauts. This would allow Europe to launch its own crewed missions into space.
How Ariane 6 is Built and Launched
In 2019, Arianespace ordered the first 14 Ariane 6 rockets. After the first two launches in 2024, the plan is to launch more often. They aim for 6 launches in 2025, 8 in 2026, and 10 launches per year starting in 2027.
The rocket parts are shipped from Europe to the launch site. They travel on a special cargo ship called the Canopée. This ship uses sails to help it move, which saves fuel.
Images for kids
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A drawing showing the inside of an early Ariane 6 design.
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The first ideas for Ariane 62 and Ariane 64.
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Testing the Ariane 6 launch pad in French Guiana.
See also
In Spanish: Ariane 6 para niños
