Ariane 6 Rocket Delivers for Amazon When It Mattered Most
▼ Summary
– The Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket successfully launched for the first time, carrying 32 satellites for Amazon’s broadband constellation.
– This launch used the Ariane 64 configuration with four solid rocket boosters, generating over 3.4 million pounds of thrust.
– The mission deployed all 32 Amazon satellites into a precise low-Earth orbit less than two hours after liftoff from the Guiana Space Center.
– European Space Agency officials declared the launch a success, stating it restores Europe’s capability to launch all types of satellites.
– Arianespace will conduct 18 total missions for Amazon, with upgrades planned for future Ariane 6 launches.
Europe’s new heavy-lift rocket, the Ariane 6, successfully completed its most powerful mission to date on Thursday, deploying a batch of 32 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband constellation. This inaugural flight of the Ariane 64 variant marks a critical milestone for European access to space and delivers on a key launch commitment for the e-commerce giant’s satellite internet network.
Liftoff occurred from the Guiana Space Center in South America at 11:45 am EST. The rocket, equipped with its full complement of four solid rocket boosters for the first time, vaulted into a clear sky with over 3.4 million pounds of thrust. The mission proceeded smoothly, with the rocket’s upper stage precisely releasing all 32 spacecraft into a low-Earth orbit approximately 289 miles above the planet less than two hours after launch. Both Amazon and the launch provider, Arianespace, confirmed the mission as a complete success.
The flight represents a significant achievement for the European Space Agency (ESA), which funded the rocket’s development. Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General, emphasized the rocket’s restored capability, stating the launch sets Europe back on the global stage for launching all types of satellites. He noted that while the core rocket fleet is now operational, upgrades are already planned for future missions.
For Amazon, the successful deployment is a vital step in building its Project Kuiper constellation, designed to provide global broadband internet. The company has faced challenges securing reliable and sufficient launch capacity in a crowded market. This mission is the first in a contracted series of 18 Ariane 6 launches intended to deploy a large portion of its satellite network.
David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, highlighted the demonstration of the rocket’s heavy-lift capability, calling it a reliable European solution for large-scale constellation deployments. The performance validates the Ariane 6’s design for carrying multiple payloads on a single flight, a cost-effective approach essential for mega-constellations like Amazon’s.
(Source: Ars Technica)
