Europe’s Ariane 6 Rocket Successfully Completes First Commercial Launch

The launch marks a significant step toward European spaceflight independence, carrying a French military satellite into orbit.

The Ariane 6 rocket launched from Kourou, French Guiana, carrying a French military observation satellite as its payload.
This marks the rocket's first commercial mission following its inaugural test flight in summer 2024, overcoming years of delays since its planned 2020 debut.
Ariane 6 is designed to transport up to 21.6 tons to low Earth orbit and features modular configurations with two or four boosters, though it is not reusable.
The rocket is part of Europe’s effort to reduce reliance on U.S. and Russian launch systems, especially after losing access to Russian Soyuz rockets in 2022.
Germany, the second-largest contributor to the €4.5 billion project after France, played a key role in development, including producing critical components and testing engines.