ARIANE 6

Access to space for all applications under the best conditions!
OVERVIEW

The Ariane 6 launch vehicle –a European Space Agency (ESA) program– will provide Arianespace with new levels of efficiency and flexibility to meet customers’ evolving launch services needs across a full range of commercial and institutional missions.

Developed by ArianeGroup (Arianespace’s parent company) and its European industrial partners, Ariane 6 will deliver increased payload performance, plus enhanced flexibility to launch a wide range of missions with the same high reliability demonstrated throughout the Ariane program.

The next-generation launch vehicle will be built in two versions: Ariane 62, which is perfectly suited for institutional missions; and Ariane 64, which primarily will serve the commercial market.

Ariane 6: inside the fairing

Your mission, your Ariane 6

Single launch
Dual Launch
Multi-launch
Large scientific spacecraft
Heavy mission
Constellation
LEO microsat constellation
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Single launch

Arianespace continually develops solutions that meet evolving customer demand. Priority is given to provide access, under the best conditions, to space for all applications.

The Ariane 6 fairing at 20-m high and with an external diameter of 5.4 m is fully adapted to market developments. This enables Ariane 6 to launch any type of satellite now in service as well as new and upcoming platforms. Thanks to its two versions and their respective performances, Ariane 6 will cover a wide range of missions: GEO, intermediate orbits (in particular GTO and GTO+), Polar/SSO, MEO and others.

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Dual Launch

The Ariane 6’s long fairing is particularly well-adapted to dual launch missions thanks to its two-part launch structure, a cylindrical shell enclosing the lower spacecraft, and above, a truncated conical shell supporting the spacecraft in the upper position. Three different lengths of the Dual Launch Structure are available (7.8 m, 8.8 m and 9.8 m) to meet customers’ evolving needs.

The Upper Liquid Propulsion Module’s configuration guarantees a safe and reliable separation of multiple satellites.

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Multi-launch

Arianespace can offer multiple launch opportunities for small satellites– from cubesats to minisatellites up to more than 400 kg — to nearly any orbit. Arianespace offers a rideshare service on both Ariane 62 and Ariane 64 for small satellites (micro and mini satellites, as well as nanosats) that can leverage the spare capacity of primary missions. All types of small satellites for any orbit (LEO, MEO, GTO…) can be accommodated thanks to a configurable and modular carrying structure that has standard services and interfaces.

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Large scientific spacecraft

Tailored to the most complex missions such as large scientific payloads, Ariane 6 has the capability to deliver spacecraft to High Elliptical orbits.

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Heavy mission

The capabilities of this next-generation launcher, the flexibility of its configuration, alongside Arianespace’s proven ability to manage multiple missions, enables Ariane 6 to deliver any type of large and heavy spacecraft (>20,000 kg), with a dedicated launch.

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Constellation

The Ariane 6’s dispenser structures can be uniquely configured for any constellation program’s specific needs. The new upper stage engine has the capability of restarting up to five times, allowing Ariane 6 to reach a range of orbits on a single dedicated mission, and deliver more payloads.

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LEO microsat constellation

Ariane 6 is able to carry any microsat constellation in a dedicated launch to Low Earth orbit.  Its dispenser structures can be built to order for specific microsat constellation programs. The new upper stage engine has the capability of restarting up to five times, allowing Ariane 6 to reach a range of orbits on a single mission, and deliver more payloads.

A62
A62 A64
A62 A64
A64
A64
A62 A64
A62 A64

ARIANE 6

STANDARD MISSION PROFILE

The core stage with solid rocket boosters (P120C) propels Ariane 6 in the first 10 minutes of flight to 200 km, delivering 135 tons of thrust in vacuum. The core stage is powered by the liquid-fueled Vulcain 2.1 –an upgraded engine derived from Ariane 5’s Vulcain 2– and either two or four P120C strap-on solid boosters, to provide additional thrust at liftoff.

The upper stage is powered by the reignitable Vinci engine fueled by cryogenic liquid oxygen and hydrogen. This allows Ariane 6 to reach a range of orbits on a single mission, and deliver more payloads. The upper stage will typically burn one, two or more times to reach targeted orbits. After payload separation, the upper stage will perform a de-orbit maneuver, in order to mitigate space debris.

Discover the mission

ARIANE 6

STANDARD MISSION PROFILE

The core stage with solid rocket boosters (P120C) propels Ariane 6 in the first 10 minutes of flight to 200 km, delivering 135 tons of thrust in vacuum. The core stage is powered by the liquid-fueled Vulcain 2.1 –an upgraded engine derived from Ariane 5’s Vulcain 2– and either two or four P120C strap-on solid boosters, to provide additional thrust at liftoff.

The upper stage is powered by the reignitable Vinci engine fueled by cryogenic liquid oxygen and hydrogen. This allows Ariane 6 to reach a range of orbits on a single mission, and deliver more payloads. The upper stage will typically burn one, two or more times to reach targeted orbits. After payload separation, the upper stage will perform a de-orbit maneuver, in order to mitigate space debris.

Discover the mission

Video

Ariane 6

INDUSTRIAL TEAM

Ariane 6 is developed by ArianeGroup, as industrial prime contractor and design authority, and its European industrial partners. It combines proven solutions with innovation in order to address changing needs of the market, and benefits from the Ariane program’s unparalleled reliability.

France
AIR LIQUIDE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE ASB EUROPROPULSION MEGGIT ARIANEGROUP ESTER LINE SAFRAN ELECTRICAL POWER NEXTER SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE ZODIAC ST MICROELECTRONICS PYROALLIANCE CLEMESSY STERMAT/SOTEREM WATT & WELL CNES AIRBUS GLOBAL PURCHASING WITH STEC BATIMENT AS ARCHITECT
Germany
ARIANEGROUP DLR MT AEROSPACE IABG EMS
Italy
AVIO EUROPROPULSION UTAS/MICROTECNICA
Spain
AIRBUS DS (CASA) CRISA GTD TYRO/RYMSA INTA HV SYSEMAS
Belgium
S.A.B.C.A TAS-B ULG SAFRAN AERO BOOSTERS
Austria
RUAG TEST FUCHS TTTECH HAGE
Switzerland
APCO MEGGIT SENSING SYSTEM PRECICAST RUAG SCHMETZMETAL
Sweden
GKN JIROTEX RUAG

Ariane 62

Ariane 62, with two boosters, has a performance of 4.5 to 5 tons into GTO and 6.5 tons into Sun-Synchronous orbit (SSO).

Greater modularity, continuous improvement
  • Institutional and large scientific spacecraft missions
  • Constellations deployment with upper stage re-ignition
  • Small satellites via the new Multi-Launch Service (MLS)
  • Delivery to multiples orbits during same launch
Industrial prime contractor

ArianeGroup

4.5 to 5 t into
Geostationary transfer orbit
up to 10.3 t into
Low Earth orbit
1.7 t into
Medium-Earth orbit
2.8 to 3 t into
Lunar transfert orbit
up to 6.5 t into
Sun-Synchronous orbit
7.4 to 7.6 t into
Earth Escape mission

Ariane 64

Ariane 64, with four boosters, can place up to 11.5 tons into GTO in dual launch configuration, and up to 21.6 tons into LEO.

Greater modularity, continuous improvement
  • Small to large GEO satellites in dual launch configurations
  • Institutional and large scientific spacecraft missions
  • Mega constellations deployment with upper stage re-ignition
  • Small satellites via the new Multi-Launch Service (MLS)
  • Delivery to multiples orbits during same launch (SSO/SSO or GTO/near-GEO or GTO/LTO)
Industrial prime contractor

ArianeGroup

up to 12 t into
Geostationary transfer orbit
up to 20 t into
Low Earth orbit
8.2 to 8.5 t into
Lunar Transfer Orbit
up to 15 t into
Sun-Synchronous orbit
7.4 to 7.6 t into
Earth Escape mission

LAUNCH SITE

THE SPACEPORT

The Ariane 6 launch site (ELA-4) is a dedicated area designed for launch vehicle final preparation, integration of the upper composite and final launch activities. Located approximately 10 km northwest of the CSG Technical Center, it includes the launch pad (ZL4), launch vehicle assembly and integration building (BAL) and support facilities.

Discover the launch site
2023

Ariane 6 will provide Arianespace with new levels of efficiency and flexiblity to meet customers’ launch services needs across a full range of commercial and institutional missions, with first flight planned in 2023.