A new stage in the Ariane 6 preparation program was reached this Wednesday, April 24. Technicians took the first stages of the rocket to its launch pad while awaiting takeoff scheduled before the end of July.
We have been waiting for 4 years for this transfer of the two main stages of Ariane 6 from the Launcher Assembly building to the Launch Zone. The number of journalists arriving from Europe for the event demonstrates its importance for the space community underlines Lucia Linares, Space Transport Strategy Manager at the European Space Agency:
“It does a lot of good because there are a lot of efforts that have been made by the technical teams. I see them, I am part of them and it is an honor to work alongside them. I welcome all these people who have put their lives into this project, especially in the last few months, so that we can launch it and make it a real success for Europe…”
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©Jean-Gilles Assard
No more truck towing the table on rails, make way for remote-controlled trolleys to travel the 800 meters between the BAL and the launch area. In less than 20 minutes the floors arrive at the launch pad. There are at least 50 days left before the first launch date, Thierry Vallée Deputy Director Protection of the Guiana Space Center / CNES explains the precautions taken:
“We are bringing it in earlier because despite everything we prefer to take margins. We know that we are going to take more time to do certain things to master and tame the system that we are implementing for the first time. ..”
In the coming days the boosters will be assembled on both stages, the fairing will arrive a few days before takeoff. Until then, several thousand people scattered across Europe are still working to check everything before the green light is given. Franck Huiban Director of Programs at Arianegroup.
“We take all the necessary precautions, everyone who participates must share their doubts which we analyze and correct if there is a problem. This first time is necessarily longer because we take all the precautions.“
The maiden flight of this first copy of Ariane 6 is planned between mid-June and the end of July. Enough to allow time for optimal preparation for a highly anticipated success.
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©Jean-Gilles Assard
