Ariane 6 Set for First Commercial Launch After Multiple Delays

The European rocket aims to deliver a critical French military satellite into orbit, marking a pivotal step for Europe's independent access to space.

The Ariane 6 rocket is scheduled to launch today, March 6, 2025, at 5:24 PM Paris time from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana.
This mission will place the CSO-3 reconnaissance satellite into orbit, enhancing the French military's intelligence capabilities.
The launch was delayed multiple times, most recently on March 3 due to a faulty 150-kilogram fueling valve that required repairs.
The mission underscores Europe's push for autonomous access to space following disruptions caused by the loss of Soyuz launches after 2022.
Arianespace has emphasized the precision required for this launch, as the satellite's orbit is critical for optimizing surveillance imagery.