While the Ariane 6 rocket might take much of the focus, the launch pad and infrastructure truely are marvels of human engineering.
Built and operated by France’s space agency @CNES, the launch zone – called ELA4 – was built from the ground up at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
Building on the success and lessons learnt from the previous launch zones, the new infrastructure allows for quick processing and the launch of one Ariane 6 a month.
The site for the launch zone was chosen for its deep rocky subsoil capable of supporting the heaviest 900 tonne variant of Ariane 6 and its liftoff and the mobile gantry that surrounds Ariane 6 for final assembly.
The launch pad was also built to lessen the site’s carbon footprint and preserve local natural resources.
📹 ESA – European Space Agency
📸 ESA – European Space Agency
#ESA #Ariane6 #Rocket