21/06/2024
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Yesterday, the first Ariane 6 rocket to launch into space underwent its final full ‘wet suit test’ at the European Spaceport in French Guiana – giving an exciting glimpse of what’s to come, stalling just seconds before engine ignition and of course. , take off.
First look at Ariane 6 Flight Model 1 on the launch pad
Similar to the tests conducted with the test rocket during the combined test campaigns, this time the actual flight model, its payload, launch pad and ground teams went through every step of the launch operations; from pumping 180 tonnes of propellant – liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen – into the waiting Ariane 6, shutting down the mobile portal, running all ground control software and more.
“The wet suit test is the last milestone before launch,” says ESA’s Guy Pilchen, project manager of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle, “which allows teams to fine-tune the delicate operations required until liftoff using real flight hardware and real rocket software. first.”
Top tip: fill slowly with subcooled fuel
One of the first steps was to return the colossal 90-meter-tall Ariane 6 mobile portal building 1,120 m from the launch pad – in the first moment, the entire rocket was released.
Fueling the Ariane 6 then took about 3.5 hours, as technicians in the control center first began by slowly cooling the pipes, valves, tanks and engines from the tropical temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius in French Guiana to the super-cold temperatures of the soon-to-arrive cryogenic fuels.
Hot test of the Ariane 6 core stage on the launch pad
The propellants used in Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket are as much art as engineering supercooled to -180°C for oxygen and -230°C for hydrogen fuel. At these temperatures, any moisture already in the pipes would immediately freeze and could lead to clogged valves. To prevent this, any hint of air or moisture from the atmosphere was flushed from the system with an inert (non-reactive) gas, nitrogen, before refueling began.
Once the tanks were full, the teams continued to refill them as the liquid fuels gradually evaporated on the Sun. The rocket was subsequently defueled in preparation for launch.
Countdown in seconds
Ariane 6 flight model-1 standing tall
“The rocket, the launch pad and the teams from ESA, CNES and ArianeGroup all performed brilliantly and everything went smoothly – I couldn’t be more proud,” says ESA’s Pier Domenico Resta, “after all these years of preparation, we are very close to launch.”
Data from the test is now being analyzed with results expected on June 26 to confirm the launch date, when Ariane 6 will go through the same process, except for the final ignition and completion of the last few seconds – the first liftoff from Earth.
We’ve come a long way
The first Ariane 6 parts began arriving in French Guiana from continental Europe in February 2024 via the Canopée “spaceship”. In March, the main stage and upper stage were assembled, followed by the transfer of two powerful P120C boosters in April.
Technicians prepare payloads and payloads for Ariane 6’s maiden flight
The first Ariane 6 passengers also arrived at Kourou in May – a diverse selection of experiments, satellites, payload deployments and re-entry demonstrations representing thousands of people across Europe, from students to industry and experienced NASA and ArianeGroup space actors.
The payload was integrated into the “payload” at the end of May, and just a few days ago the ballast was mounted on top of the rocket and the fairing closed around it – the last time the Ariane 6 payload saw the light.
Passengers on the first Ariane 6 flight are a testament to the rocket’s adaptability, from Earth observation to technology demonstrations testing wildlife tracking, open-space 3D printing, open-source software and hardware, and science missions looking for the most powerful explosions in space. complexity and its role for the future – launch any mission, anywhere.
Ariane 6 fairing closure
“Ariane 6 was designed and developed to ensure Europe’s independent access to space,” explains Toni Tolker-Nielsen, ESA’s Director of Space Transport.
“With the first launch of this new heavy launch vehicle, Europe is back in space. Space activities are becoming an integral part of any modern economy, Ariane 6 will ensure that Europe will not be left out, serving its exploration and science missions.