The launch could take place in 2024
Arianespace announced successful fire tests of the first stage engine of the new European Ariane 6 launch vehicle.
“Long-term fire tests of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle at the launch pad of the space center in French Guiana were successful,” Arianespace said.
We are talking about an eight-minute test of the Vulcain 2.1 first stage engine: “After switching on, the engine ran for more than seven minutes at a stable speed.”
The European Space Agency said that “if this was a real launch, Ariane 6 would already be in orbit.” The developers will conduct additional analysis of the test results. If no problems are identified, the launch vehicle will be much closer to its first flight, which could take place in 2024.
Tests of the first stage were supposed to take place on October 3, but due to some problems they were postponed.