Teams are narrowing down the launch period and the first attempt for launch will happen within the first two weeks of July 2024.We are on track and in line with the launch period that was communicated in November.
The tentative date for the first launch attempt will be given at ILA airshow in Berlin, Germany, held from 5 June to 9 June, where all the task force members will be present.
Key milestones towards inaugural flight:
On the way towards the first flight of Ariane 6, these milestones have been conducted since the last joint update:
April 29: Ariane 6 launch system qualification review, Les Mureaux, France
The conclusion of a final all-encompassing review of the Ariane 6 launch system (including launcher and ground segment) was delivered after four-weeks intensive work.
May 16: Payloads arrived in Kourou, French Guiana
The passengers for the first Ariane 6 arrived in Kourou and are being readied for integration.
Next milestones:
Mid-June: Ariane 6 launch system qualification review close-out
The closing of all aspects of the qualification for the Ariane 6 launch system will be approved mid June. This is the final step of the launch system qualification.
June: Upper composite transfer, and integration on the launcher, Kourou, French Guiana
The upper composite, consisting of the launcher adapter, the payloads and the fairing for Ariane 6 flight model-1 will be moved from the encapsulation hall to the launch pad.
June 18: Ariane 6 flight model-1 wet dress rehearsal, Kourou, French Guiana
The Ariane 6 will be fuelled on the launchpad and subsequently drained of fuel in preparation for launch.
Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage restart capability, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payload missions, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.
Vega C will launch the SMILE (Solar-wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) mission for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
SMILE is designed to study the Earth’s magnetic environment, specifically its interaction with solar wind, and will contribute significantly to our understanding of space weather and solar storms.
So that observations can begin during the peak of the 11-year cycle of solar activity, the optimum launch window for the SMILE mission is around the end of 2025.
Arianespace signed a launch contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the deployment of the SMILE (Solar-wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) mission, a joint ESA-Science and Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) initiative that aims to better understand our solar system. SMILE will observe Earth’s magnetic environment, the magnetosphere, on a global scale, and its interaction with the solar wind. To maximize its scientific contribution, SMILE requires a launch close to the peak of solar activity during the Sun’s 11-year cycle.
Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, said: "This signature marks over four years of collaborative efforts between Arianespace and ESA Science teams to develop the SMILE mission with a Vega C launcher. While many spacecraft already observe the Sun and its effect on the Earth's environment, this is the first time a mission will be able to view the full Sun-Earth connection. We are thrilled to contribute to this new step in better understanding space weather, in a context where we need to protect our space-based technology and ensure human safety."
“Today marks a major milestone for our innovative SMILE mission and signals the determination of all our teams and partners to deliver a successful mission on schedule for maximum scientific benefit,” declared Prof. Carole Mundell, ESA Director of Science.
“We are delighted to be launching SMILE on such a versatile launch vehicle. Vega C has been selected as it perfectly matches the needs of the mission, such as required mass capability and injection orbit,” said David Agnolon, ESA SMILE Project Manager.
SMILE was selected from a pool of 13 potential missions that were proposed to the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in response to a joint call for mission concepts in 2015. After the joint ESA-China National Space Administration Double Star mission in the 1990s, SMILE marks the first time that ESA and China have selected, designed, implemented, launched, and operated a space mission together. ESA is responsible for the payload module, the launch vehicle, one of the scientific instruments and part of the science operations. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is responsible for three scientific instruments, the platform, and the mission and science operations.
The agreement will see the SMILE spacecraft launched by the European light-lift Vega C from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, currently expected for late 2025. The exact launch period will be defined by taking into account SMILE’s scientific objectives as well as the evolution of the Vega C manifest.
Vega C is an ESA program carried out in cooperation between public institutions and private industry across 12 European partner states. Avio S.p.A (Colleferro, Italy) is the prime contractor responsible for the development and production of the launch system and delivering a “ready-to-fly” vehicle to Arianespace at Europe’s Spaceport. Arianespace is the operator and the exclusive launch service provider of Vega C up to the moment this mandate is transferred to Avio under the implementation of the Resolution adopted by ESA in Seville on 6 and 7 November 2023.
Arianespace’s Ariane 5 is the world reference for heavy-lift launchers, capable of carry
payloads weighing more than 10 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and
over 20 metric tons into low-Earth orbit (LEO) – with a high degree of accuracy mission
after mission. Developed by under management of the European Space Agency (ESA),
Ariane 5 is able to loft the heaviest spacecraft either in production or on the drawing
boards, and enables Arianespace to match up most telecommunications satellites for
highly efficient dual launches – a capability that has been proven by the company in
Ariane-series missions since the 1980s.
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