Ariane 6: made in Czechia

Ariane 6 is Europe’s flagship heavy-lift rocket. Modular, versatile and powerful, it was made possible by companies, institutions and countless individuals around Europe working together with expertise and dedication.

For Europe’s largest rocket, Ariane 6, Czechia contributed 0.7% to the development programme up to its inaugural launch, supplying parts of its exterior through ATC Space. The Czech city of Budweis is, amongst others, the birthplace of the first European in space, Vladimír Remek. Flying on the Soyuz 28 mission in 1978, he was the first astronaut from a country other than the United States or the Soviet Union. In part thanks to Remek, Czechia (then Czechoslovakia) has been on the space map for decades, and this legacy continues with Aleš Svoboda being selected as a member of the ESA astronaut reserve in 2022.

This series of infographics is looking at the parts and components needed to assemble the Ariane 6 rocket – supplied by companies from the 13 ESA Member States participating to the Ariane 6 programme. Together they contribute the best of their know-how to build Europe's heavy-lift launcher under the guidance of main contractor ArianeGroup who also designed the Ariane 6 rocket.