Ariane 6 engine test success
November 27, 2023
By Chris Forrester
The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully ‘hot test’ fired the giant engine for the much-awaited Ariane 6 rocket. ESA said that the November 23rd engine test added to a full-scale rehearsal including the proposed countdown all went well. The first test-launch of the complete rocket is scheduled for Q4 next year.
The Vulcain 2.1 engine test was for the full designed 7 minute firing of the core stage. ESA said, perhaps with a sigh of relief, “Hot fire: Ariane 6 ready to rumble”.
“The engine-fire trial reenacts how the Ariane 6 core stage will fire during a normal flight into space. Once complete the main engine would shut down and the core stage would separate from the upper stage, which would then take over propulsion and complete its mission,” ESA added.
ESA’s Director Genera0l, Josef Aschbacher, commented: “The teams from ArianeGroup, CNES and ESA have now run through every step of the rocket’s flight without it leaving Earth. We are back on track towards resecuring Europe’s autonomous access to space. Well done to all involved!”
There will be another ‘hot fire’ test in December.
ESA is holding a media advisory briefing on November 30th to update progress, and talks of a tentative launch campaign for Ariane 6.