Even closer to the flight. European Ariane 6 rocket undergoes engine fire test

November 29, 22:57 Share:

Ariane 6 undergoes engine fire test (Photo: ESA)

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Ariane 6 launch vehicle has overcome one of several obstacles ahead of its first test flight.

The combined hot fire test lasted 426 seconds – just over seven minutes. At this time, a full-size test model of the Ariane 6 rocket remained on the launch pad. ESA rated the test as successful.

“ESA's new Ariane 6 rocket has undergone a large, full-scale rehearsal in preparation for its maiden flight.. On Earth, a full launch countdown took place, followed by a seven-minute full core stage engine fire,” ESA said.

This test was the most important of the pre-flight tests that the rocket must undergo.

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“Teams from ArianeGroup, CNES and ESA have now completed all stages of rocket flight without leaving Earth. This extraordinary rehearsal took place after years of design, planning, preparation, construction and hard work by some of the best space engineers in Europe. We are once again on the path to restoring Europe's autonomous access to space. Bravo to everyone involved!” commented ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.

In the coming weeks, ground crews in French Guiana will launch the Ariane 6 rocket used during the test from the launch pad and roll it back to a nearby hangar. The core stage and upper stage of the rocket, intended for the first launch of Ariane 6, will be delivered to French Guiana from factories in France and Germany for final preparation for flight.

“In this final phase before the first flight, we still need to carry out several additional tests to demonstrate fault tolerance, deliver the first launcher to Kourou and perform a qualification test of the launch system,” said Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup.

https://twitter.com/ESA_transport/status/1728013324376310006

Recall that Ariane 5 made its last flight in July, leaving Europe without a rocket to launch its own space missions. In recent years, a new European expendable rocket, Ariane 6, has been developed. It was supposed to be launched back in 2020, but the launch was constantly delayed. Following the engine test, ESA and ArianeGroup officials said they planned to announce the rocket's maiden flight schedule soon.

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