ESA approves Ariane-6 scheme
September 16, 2016
By Chris Forrester
The European Space Agency (ESA) has, as expected, formally approved the plan to design and build the ‘next generation’ Ariane-6 rocket.
While the planning for Ariane-6 started some years ago, and more recently the Arianespace business has been restructured as part of Airbus Safran Launchers, ESA has approved the investment needed to make the scheme come to fruition.
The Ariane-6 design and build programme is costed at €4 billion, which includes €600 million to design and build a new launch complex at the European launch site at Kourou in French Guiana.
A test flight is scheduled for 2020.