<snip>Following ESA’s announcement that the maiden flight of Ariane 6 would not occur until 2024, The Exploration Company announced in September 2023 that it had shifted its 40-kilogram Mission Bikini demonstrator to an ISRO PSLV rideshare flight. When the announcement was made, the rideshare mission was expected to be launched in January 2024.<snip> By March 2024, the company, through its CEO Hélène Huby, during a Bloomberg interview, revealed that the Bikini demonstrator mission was slated for a mid-June launch. At the time, it was assumed that this meant that the PSLV flight would be occurring in June. However, it’s now clear that this was the first confirmation that the mission was returning to the Ariane 6 payload manifest.On 14 March 2024, ESA published an updated list of the payloads that would be flown aboard the maiden Ariane 6 flight. The Bikini demonstrator was one of two reentry capsules listed, the other being the ArianeGroup SpaceCase SC-X01. Soon after the announcement, European Spaceflight requested a comment from The Exploration Company confirming whether or not the mission had shifted back to Ariane 6. On 29 March, the company finally responded, stating, “Mission Bikini is currently being re-baslined on Ariane 6 because we want to launch it on the first available launcher.”<snip>
ESA Director General @AschbacherJosef appears to be tempering expectations for the maiden flight of Ariane 6.
ESA Chief Tempers Expectations for Maiden Ariane 6 FlightBy Andrew Parsonson - April 10, 2024European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher appeared to be tempering expectations for the maiden flight of Ariane 6 during a panel at the 39th Space Symposium. Aschbacher explained that the maiden flights of heavy-lift rockets have a 47% chance of experiencing a major anomaly.
On 24 April 2024 the central core for Europe’s new rocket Ariane 6 that will fly to space for the first time was moved upright on the launch pad.
The first of two boosters that will power the Ariane 6 ‘flight model-1’ into space this summer has arrived at the launch zone at @EuropeSpacePort.⛽️142 tonnes of solid rocket fuel📏13.5 metres tall🔥4500 kN of thrust⌛️For up to 130 seconds
The central core and boosters of the first Ariane 6 are now on the launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Regarding the "A6 DR_SR solid-fuel motor used aboard the P120C booster", is it also present when the P120C is used for the Vega-C? Might seems unnecessary extra weight if it is.
An overview of the passengers on the first flight of Ariane 6.
Ariane 6 joint update report, 21 May 202421/05/2024ESA / Enabling & Support / Space Transportation / ArianeThe Ariane 6 Launcher Task Force consists of top management of ESA, as the overall Ariane 6 procuring entity and launch system architect, of the French space agency CNES as the launch base prime contractor, of ArianeGroup as the launcher system prime contractor and of Arianespace as the launch service provider. This group reports regularly on progress being made towards inaugural flight of the new Ariane 6 launcher.Teams are narrowing down the launch period and the first attempt for launch will happen within the first two weeks of July 2024.We are on track and in line with the launch period that was communicated in November.The tentative date for the first launch attempt will be given at ILA airshow in Berlin, Germany, held from 5 June to 9 June, where all the task force members will be present.Key milestones towards inaugural flight:On the way towards the first flight of Ariane 6, these milestones have been conducted since the last joint update:April 29: Ariane 6 launch system qualification review, Les Mureaux, FranceThe conclusion of a final all-encompassing review of the Ariane 6 launch system (including launcher and ground segment) was delivered after four-weeks intensive work.May 16: Payloads arrived in Kourou, French GuianaThe passengers for the first Ariane 6 arrived in Kourou and are being readied for integration.Next milestones:Mid-June: Ariane 6 launch system qualification review close-outThe closing of all aspects of the qualification for the Ariane 6 launch system will be approved mid June. This is the final step of the launch system qualification.June: Upper composite transfer, and integration on the launcher, Kourou, French GuianaThe upper composite, consisting of the launcher adapter, the payloads and the fairing for Ariane 6 flight model-1 will be moved from the encapsulation hall to the launch pad.June 18: Ariane 6 flight model-1 wet dress rehearsal, Kourou, French GuianaThe Ariane 6 will be fuelled on the launchpad and subsequently drained of fuel in preparation for launch.Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage restart capability, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payload missions, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.
[Ariane 6] Transfer of the central body and assembly of the boostersQuote May 30, 2024On Wednesday April 24, the central body of Ariane 6 was transferred from its assembly building to its launch area, where it was erected in a vertical position. The two boosters of this flight, each containing 142 tonnes of propellant, then joined the central body to which they were connected. Next steps: The arrival of the 6 passengers in May, then integration of the fairing.
May 30, 2024On Wednesday April 24, the central body of Ariane 6 was transferred from its assembly building to its launch area, where it was erected in a vertical position. The two boosters of this flight, each containing 142 tonnes of propellant, then joined the central body to which they were connected. Next steps: The arrival of the 6 passengers in May, then integration of the fairing.
https://twitter.com/esa_transport/status/1796577195676053565QuoteToday the first #Ariane6 to launch had its 'dry run'.🚀A chance for the software people and the rocket avionics to flex 💪, the dry run confirms the software, commands, and data connections between the launcher and its control centre are operational.
Today the first #Ariane6 to launch had its 'dry run'.🚀A chance for the software people and the rocket avionics to flex 💪, the dry run confirms the software, commands, and data connections between the launcher and its control centre are operational.
