Tag Archives: Arianespace

The Ariane 6 Launcher Task Force held an eagerly expected media briefing on 30 November 2023. It provided credible reassurances and a reasonably optimistic way forward for the beleaguered program. The Task Force is crucial in guiding Ariane 6 toward the intended summer 2024 maiden launch. A replay is available here  and a brief ESA update here. This briefing was as much interesting for what was clearly indicated, as it was for what remained unsaid. Let’s review the facts.

OQ Technology, a Luxembourg based satellite communication service, announced on the 10th of October that its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, MACSAT, successfully launched aboard Arianespace’s Vega. The satellite was launched from French Guiana at 10:37 pm local time on the 8th of October. 

The Independent Enquiry Commission, set up by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher, has concluded its findings on the test anomaly during the static firing test of the modified Zefiro40 engine. The Director General set up the Enquiry Commission to understand the cause of the test anomaly and propose recommendations. The ESA Inspector General, Giovanni Colangelo, chaired the Commission, which also comprised experts from CNES, ASI, ESA, Arianespace and academia.

PLD Space, a Spanish company that designs, develops, and manufactures micro launchers, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Arianespace, a European space transportation operator. 

Arianespace, a European launch services provider, and Orbex, a UK-based provider of small satellite launch services, announced on the 13th of June that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study possible future cooperation to answer its customers’ requirements. 

Arianespace has announced the signature of a launch contract for the Earth observation satellite Kompsat-6 (KOrean Multi-Purpose SATellite-6) for the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). The launch company will subsequently deliver the satellite to orbit with the European light launcher Vega C from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana in December 2024.

ClearSpace and Arianespace signed a launch contract for ClearSpace-1, the first active debris removal mission that will capture and deorbit a derelict space debris object of more than 100kg.

Europe’s latest weather satellite, the MTG-I1, has just delivered its first view of Earth.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace have successfully launched the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission after postponing it yesterday due to weather concerns. The spacecraft will now begin its eight-year journey to the Jovian system to explore its suitability for life, among other mission objectives. 

The European Space Agency and Arianespace have announced the postponement of the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission following uncertain weather conditions. Arianespace confirmed that the postponement was a result of lightning risk to the launch. As a result, the launch will now tentatively go on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 12:14 p.m. Universal time (UTC),