Europe's Ariane 6 rocket will not make its first test flight until summer 2024

The European Space Agency has assessed the full cycle of the Ariane 6 first stage fire test. The agency decided to conduct the first flight test next year.

Here's What We Know

Arianespace tested the first stage engine late last month. It operated for 426 seconds, after which it was automatically shut down due to exceeding the allowable load on the launch pad. It takes 470 seconds of continuous operation to simulate a full cycle from liftoff to separation.

The European Space Agency has announced that Ariane 6 will embark on its first test flight next summer. The exact date is currently unknown, but it will happen between 15 June and 31 July.

Ariane 6 will not go into space empty-handed. The European launch vehicle will put several satellites into orbit. A full payload will be sent into space on the second flight, which will tentatively take place at the end of 2024. From 2025 Arianespace intends to start putting into orbit internet satellites of the company Amazon.

Source: SpaceNews