Arianespace Ariane 6 Rocket To Launch The French CSO-3 Spy Satellite
30th Jan 2025
The second flight of the Arianespace Ariane 6 rocket has been officially scheduled to take place on 26 February. This launch will be made on the Guiana Space Centre and will take the French Armed Forces’ CSO-3 spy satellite into orbit.
Arianespace Ariane 6 Rocket To Support France’s MUSIS Programme
Speaking on this upcoming launch, the Arianespace CEO, David Cavaillolès, says that the launch “will guarantee independent access to space for France and Europe.” This launch will support the French defence MUSIS (Multinational Space-based Imaging System) programme.
For this launch, the Arianespace Ariane 6 rocket will take the third satellite in the MUSIS program into space. The MUSIS programme features a three-satellite constellation, all designed to support the French defence and security agencies.
These satellites will help to provide high-resolution imagery for France’s military operations, as well as ensure national security. For this launch, the rocket will carry the CSO-3 satellite which weighs 3500kg.
A few days ago, the Arianespace Ariane 6 core stage stack as well as its two solid-fuel boosters were being assembled at the ELA-4 launch pad on the Guiana Space Centre. The CSO-3 satellite is also on the ground at the Guiana Space Centre ahead of the launch, which will take place on 26 February.
About the Arianespace Ariane 6 Rocket
The first official launch of the Arianespace Ariane 6 was conducted on 9 July 2024 with its second launch planned for the fourth quarter of 2024. However, this second launch didn’t hold as it was postponed to February 2025.
Arianespace Ariane 6 is available in two versions for commercial usage. The two versions are the Ariane 62 and the Ariane 64 each offering different features for separate use cases.
The Ariane 62 comes with two boosters while the 64 features four boosters making it the larger model. The smaller rocket with two boosters is capable of conveying payloads weighing 4.5 tonnes into geostationary transfer orbit and 10.3 tonnes into low earth orbit.
When it comes to the larger model, the Ariane 64, it is capable of launching payloads weighing 11.5 tonnes into a geostationary transfer orbit. It can also convey payloads of 21.6 tonnes into low Earth orbit, making it useful for larger launches.
Arianespace, the ESA, as well as various companies across 13 European countries, worked together for the development of these rockets. All launches of these rockets will be made from the French Guiana Space Centre.
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