Tag: Launch base

  • Welcome to the Ariane 6 launch complex

    Welcome to the Ariane 6 launch complex

    ESA’s Ariane 6 will offer more performance and flexibility than its predecessor Ariane 5 and will be available in two versions, with either two or four boosters.

    This new rocket will launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and its home, the recently inaugurated launch complex, is a marvel of engineering. Take a tour with Tony Dos Santos, ESA’s Technical Manager there.

    The main elements of the Ariane 6 launch complex include the mobile gantry, launch pad and launch vehicle assembly building.

    See tests being carried out to qualify vital systems involved in a launch campaign and hear how they work. This includes raising a mockup Ariane 6 core stage vertical in the 90 m-high mobile gantry. Watch the deluge system gush water to absorb the roar of launch and capture the moment the fluidic systems detach from the rocket as it lifts off.

    The Ariane 6 programme is funded and developed by ESA. These tests by @CNESand @ArianeGroup teams were jointly performed under the responsibility of ESA.

    Ariane 6 opens new opportunities and guarantees continued access to space for ESA Member States.

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    We are Europe’s gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.

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    #Ariane6
    #FrenchGuiana

  • Ariane 6 development: progress on all fronts

    Ariane 6 development: progress on all fronts

    These are exciting days at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana and throughout several sites in ESA Member States as the development of Ariane 6 enters its final phase. Ariane 6 parts are being shipped from Europe for combined tests on the new Ariane 6 launch base. These tests rehearse all activities and systems involving the rocket and launch base on an Ariane 6 launch campaign. On the final test, the Ariane 6 core stage will perform a static hot firing while standing on its recently inaugurated launch pad. It will be from this new launch base that ESA’s Ariane 6 rocket will soon be launched for the first time.

    Meanwhile in Europe, Ariane 6’s upper stage will experience the conditions of space at a new test bench at @DLR in Lampoldshausen. After this, all is ready for the much anticipated first flight of ESA’s new heavy-lift rocket from Europe’s Spaceport.

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    We are Europe’s gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.

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    #ESA
    #Ariane6
    #FrenchGuiana

  • Ariane 6 launch pad water deluge system test

    Ariane 6 launch pad water deluge system test

    The water deluge system, which is activated at liftoff, was put to the test on the Ariane 6 launch pad at Europe’s Spaceport in April 2021. This is one of the qualification tests to prepare for the arrival of Ariane 6, Europe’s next generation heavy-lift launch vehicle.

    Spraying huge volumes of water on the launch pad and beneath the launch table protects both the launch vehicle and its payloads by absorbing and deflecting the tremendous acoustic energy generated at liftoff. Shockwaves created as engine exhaust gases exceed the speed of sound and collide with ambient air cause noise levels to reach 180 decibels.

    Three areas are deluged with water during launch, this is done in sequence.

    At 20 seconds before liftoff, water sprays over the steel deflector 25 metres below the launch table. This deflector channels the engine exhaust into the two trenches.

    At 6 seconds before liftoff, the exhaust tunnel under the launch table is deluged. This channels the engine exhaust below the launch table and into the underground trenches leading away from the launch pad.

    Finally, as Ariane 6 lifts off the ground four arrays of pipes around the sides of the launch table will flood the launch pad.

    This water also serves to cool and protect the ground installations, mainly the steel launch table.

    About 700 cubic metres of water will be released during launch. This comes from the nearby tower which holds 1200 cubic metres of water. After launch it is refilled with water from a nearby lake.

    After launch, any remaining water below the launch table is pumped away.

    Credits: ESA- @CNES – @arianespace

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    We are Europe’s gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.

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    #Ariane6
    #DelugeSystem

  • Starry night at the Ariane 6 launch base

    Starry night at the Ariane 6 launch base

    This timelapse was filmed under the stars on the Ariane 6 launch base at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

    Preparations are under way for the arrival of Ariane 6, Europe’s next-generation launch vehicle. Imagine yourself stepping out of the launcher assembly building or standing on the launch pad in front of the 90-metre high mobile gantry, to look at the stars.

    Ariane 6, developed by ESA, has two versions depending on the required performance. This rocket will be capable of a wide range of missions to guarantee independent access to space for Europe and continue four decades of the Ariane adventure.

    Credits: ESA – @CNES – @arianespace

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    We are Europe’s gateway to space. Our mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. Check out https://www.esa.int/ to get up to speed on everything space related.

    Copyright information about our videos is available here: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Terms_and_Conditions

    #ESA
    #Timelapse
    #Ariane6