Ariane 6 Completes First Commercial Launch, Boosting Europe's Space Autonomy
The heavy-lift rocket successfully deployed a French military satellite, marking a milestone in Europe's independent space capabilities after years of delays.
- The Ariane 6 rocket launched from French Guiana at 16:24 GMT, carrying the CSO-3 reconnaissance satellite into orbit at an altitude of 800 kilometers.
- This mission completes a trio of French military satellites designed for high-resolution global imaging, enhancing European defense capabilities.
- The launch marks the first fully operational commercial flight for Ariane 6 after its maiden test flight in July 2024, which faced technical issues.
- Europe has struggled with limited access to space after the retirement of Ariane 5, the loss of Russian Soyuz rockets, and delays with Vega-C and Ariane 6.
- The success of Ariane 6 is seen as vital for reducing reliance on SpaceX and strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy in space exploration and defense.
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