The central core and boosters of the first Ariane 6 are now on the launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
On 24 April four automated guided vehicles transported the Ariane 6 central core, consisting of the main and upper stage at a speed of 3 km/h from the launcher assembly building to its launch pad 800 m down the road. The installation of the central core on the launch pad required choreographed movements by two AGVs and a crane equipped with a lifting beam, raising the central core upright and placing it on the Ariane 6 launch table.
They were placed on the launch table on either side of the central core, to form the Ariane 6 configuration with two boosters that will be used on the inaugural flight.
"It was with great pride and considerable emotion that the teams from ArianeGroup, ESA and CNES delivered and installed the first Ariane 6 flight model on its launch pad. Seeing the new European launcher standing on the launch zone marks the completion of years of work in the design offices and production plants of ArianeGroup and all our industrial partners in Europe," said Martin Sion, Chief Executive Officer of ArianeGroup.
"Getting Ariane 6 to launch and to re-establish Europe's access to space is of highest priority for ESA to resume regular rocket launches from Europe's Spaceport," said ESA's Director General, Josef Aschbacher.
"Having the rocket stages together on the launch pad marks the start of a launch campaign and shows we are almost there: soon we will see this beauty soar to the skies."
This will be done directly on the launch pad a few weeks before launch.
One of the innovations in the Ariane 6 launcher assembly process is installing the upper part on the launch pad, aiming to increase efficiency, shorten assembly cycles and shorten the launch campaigns.
Ariane 6 is an ESA programme whereby the agency is the overall procuring entity and launch system architect.
CNES is the lead contractor and design authority for the Ariane 6 launch base and operates the launch range facilities at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.