How Ariane 6 will give Europe access to space

Europe is one step closer to its own access to space: On July 9, the European launcher Ariane 6 is scheduled to take off for the first time. This was announced by the European Space Agency ESA on Wednesday at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA). „Ariane 6 marks a new era in autonomous, versatile European space travel„, said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher in Berlin. The first commercial flight is scheduled to take place before the end of 2024, and nine launches per year should be possible by 2028 – provided the first launch is successful.