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 France’s space agency (CNES) and 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.