Closing the fairing for Ariane 6 flight VA269

Technicians working on the Ariane 6 fairing with 36 Amazon Leo satellites inside, 5 June 2026.

Flight VA269 set for liftoff on 17 June 2026 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana will be even more powerful than before due to the rocket being equipped with boosters based on the upgraded P160C motor. It will fly with four boosters based on the P160C motor, offering 14 tonnes more solid propellant per booster, compared to the P120C motors used so far. The Ariane 6 will launch 36 satellites for Amazon Leo the third flight for the communications constellation.

Ariane 6 is a versatile rocket that can be configured and adapted to the needs of each mission it launches, and it was designed from the start for continuous upgrades. The heavy-lift rocket debuted in 2024 with two boosters based on the P120C motor. Its sixth launch in February 2026 Ariane 6 flew for the first time with four boosters. 

The nose cone, known as the fairing, is 5.4 m wide and comes in two lengths, available at both 14 m and 20 m tall, flight VA269 will be the third flight with the 20-m version.