The central core of ESA’s new generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle has arrived in French Guiana from...
The central core of ESA's new generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle has arrived in French Guiana from Europe.
This enables combined tests at Europe's Spaceport where Ariane 6 parts will come together on the launch pad for the first time.
"To have Ariane 6 at Europe's Spaceport is tremendously exciting. This is a major milestone, the culmination of intense preparation by ESA and partners in Europe and at Europe's Spaceport, and an important step towards proving Ariane 6 is ready for flight," commented Daniel Neuenschwander, ESA Director of Space Transportation.
Ariane 6's central core comprises a lower stage and upper stage.
They will be used in 'combined' tests which will verify all the interfaces and functions between the Ariane 6 launch vehicle and ground facilities at the spaceport.
Upon arrival by boat at Pariacabo harbour, the two containers were transported by road to the new Ariane 6 launch vehicle assembly building - part of the Ariane 6 launch complex at Europe's Spaceport.
Here, the rocket stages will be unpacked and installed on the assembly line machinery for integration, to form the Ariane 6 central core.
First, the central core will be integrated horizontally inside the Ariane 6 launch vehicle assembly building then taken to the launch pad and raised vertical inside the mobile gantry.
The hot firing test of the Ariane 6's lower stage Vulcain 2.1 engine will follow a special set of operations on the Ariane 6 launch pad which has been adapted for use as a test bench.
Ariane 6's lower stage Vulcain 2.1 engine will be ignited several times, but Ariane will not lift off during tests.