Ariane 6
Europe's autonomous heavy launch system with cryogenic Vulcain core and re-ignitable Vinci upper stage.
Ariane 6 is a European expendable launch system developed by ArianeGroup on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). Replacing the venerable Ariane 5, Ariane 6 features a modular architecture available in two configurations: Ariane 62 (with two solid rocket boosters) for medium-lift and institutional scientific missions, and Ariane 64 (with four solid boosters) for heavy dual-payload commercial launches.
SpaceStats Reliability & Flight Record
Architecture Analysis & Development Story
Engineering DossierHistory & Development
Approved by ESA ministers in 2014 to secure Europe's independent access to space at reduced launch costs, Ariane 6 conducted its successful maiden flight on July 9, 2024 from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch confirmed the reignition capabilities of the new Vinci upper stage engine, enabling complex multi-orbit satellite deployment profiles.
Operational Record & Mission Impact
Secured major institutional European missions including Galileo navigation satellites, Copernicus Earth observation constellation, and commercial fleet launches for Amazon Project Kuiper.
Key Engineering Innovations & Design Highlights
Vulcain 2.1 cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen (Hydrolox) core engine producing 1,370 kN of thrust.
Re-ignitable Vinci upper stage engine with an Auxiliary Propulsion Unit (APU) allowing multiple burns for orbital circularization and de-orbiting.
P120C solid rocket boosters (also shared with the Vega-C launcher) providing massive liftoff thrust.
Available in dual payload configurations (Ariane 62 and Ariane 64) with 14m or 20m carbon-composite fairings.
Technical & Propulsion Specifications
Operator: ArianespaceVehicle Dimensions & Mass
- Overall Height
- 63 m
- Body Diameter
- 5.4 m
- Gross Lift-off Mass
- 860 t
- Stages Count
- 2
- Fairing Diameter
- 5.4 m
- Strap-On Boosters
- 4x Boosters
Lower Liquid Propulsion Module (LLPM)
- Main Engines
- 1x Vulcain 2.1
- Propellant
- Liquid Oxygen (LOX) / Liquid Hydrogen (LH2)
- SL Thrust
- 1,370 kN
- Vacuum Isp
- 432s
- Dry Mass
- 14 t
- Recovery Mode
- None
Upper Liquid Propulsion Module (ULPM)
- Upper Engine
- 1x Vinci
- LEO Capacity
- 21.7 t
- GTO Capacity
- 11.5 t
- TLI (Lunar)
- 8.5 t
- Cost per Launch
- $90,000,000
- LEO Price / kg
- ~$4,157 / kg
Launch Complexes & Spaceports Network
1 Active Launch PadsHigh-Resolution Photo Gallery & Media
2 photos & renders of Ariane 6 with verified copyright credits
Ariane 6 ELA-4 Pad at Kourou
Ariane 6 dedicated ELA-4 launch complex and mobile assembly building in French Guiana.
Ariane 6 Payload Integration
Sentinel-1D spacecraft being integrated onto the Ariane 6 payload adaptor prior to fairing encapsulation.
SpaceStats Launch Manifest & Database
0 mission records cataloged in database
No individual manifest entries logged in database for Ariane 6.
Summary stats and flight achievements are detailed in the overview above.