French company ArianeGroup has launched for the first time the Vulcain 2.1 engine of the Ariane 6 advanced heavy-lift rocket

The European Space Agency and ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Safran and Airbus, conducted the first firing static engine test of the advanced Ariane 6 rocket. The event took place at the spaceport in French Guiana.

Here's What We Know

Specialists conducted a static test of the first stage. The Vulcan 2.1 engine successfully operated for four seconds, after which it was switched off. This was stated by Martin Sion, CEO of AiraneGroup.

The European Space Agency has officially confirmed that the rocket used in the test will not be launched into space. Despite this, the test Ariane 6 is almost identical to the flight version.

Ariane 6 has been delayed for several reasons. The rocket was supposed to go into space in 2020. However, the launch was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further delays were due to technological difficulties that could not be dealt with promptly.

The exact date of the first Ariane 6 flight has not yet been specified. However, in the summer it became known that the promising European rocket will not fly into space in 2023.

Source: space