Space Transportation rockets for access to space

Europe now has two rockets it relies on for access to space: the heavy-lift Ariane 6, and Vega-C for lighter payloads. Autonomous access to space for Europe is a cornerstone of ESA’s Strategy 2040 building on our reliable and competitive launch systems, operated from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana. Upgrades are being worked on for both Ariane 6 and Vega to reduce costs, to make the launch systems more robust and launch more often, increasing global competitiveness. This provides institutional missions with dependable European launchers that function as critical enablers, upholding Europe’s autonomy and ensuring assured launch capability. Both Vega-C and Ariane 6 will benefit from the more powerful P160C rocket motor that will replace the current P120C.