Putting large payloads into low orbit is not just a technical issue, it is also a strategic decision. When the figure is around 20 tons, it is easy to think of Falcon 9, than SpaceX, but that is not the only possible path. Europe has just demonstrated this with the operational debut of Ariane 64, the most powerful version of Ariane 6, which has already completed a real mission and has successfully deployed 32 satellites of a constellation into orbit.
First flight. The VA267 mission took off today, February 12, from the Guiana Space Center and marked the operational debut of the aforementioned rocket. As confirmed by ArianeGroup, the launcher successfully placed the payload into orbit and completed the mission after 1 hour and 54 minutes.” The result not only validates the performance of the new launcher in real conditions, it also inaugurates the first of the 18 missions that Amazon has contracted with Arianespace.
The version with four lateral thrusters. Within the Ariane 6 family, Ariane 64 is the configuration designed for the most demanding missions in terms of mass and cargo volume. This places its capacity at around 20 tons towards low Earth orbit, approximately double what Ariane 62 allows with two lateral thrusters. That jump explains its role in large-scale commercial deployments, such as entire satellite constellations. In addition, the program foresees additional performance increases throughout the year with the introduction of new P160C engines in the solid fuel lateral thrusters.
Ariane 64 on the launch pad before mission VA267
Three first times. VA267 brought together several premieres in a single release and all of them define the leap in scale of the new European system. ArianeGroup first identifies the inaugural use of Ariane 64 in its four-sided booster configuration, which made it possible to deploy the aforementioned more than 30 satellites into orbit. Added to this is the first use of the 20-meter fairing, designed to protect the dispenser during the initial phases of the flight and which places the total height of the launcher at 62 meters. Previous missions with the 14-meter hull and Ariane 62 were around 56 meters.
Choreography in orbit. Beyond the visible milestones, the mission required a precise sequence after liftoff to ensure the safe release of the satellites. As we can see in the official transmission, the launcher detached itself from the side thrusters and fairing in the first minutes of flight, after which the upper stage assumed orbital insertion through carefully programmed ignitions. The deployment began approximately 90 minutes after launch and was extended during sequential releases.
Satellite deployment in live broadcast
Evolution of Project Kuiper. The deployment is part of a broader space infrastructure plan. Amazon Leo, an evolution of the previous Project Kuiper, is conceived as a system of satellites in low orbit intended to provide fast, low-latency internet to communities far from conventional networks. With the new thirty satellites in orbit, the total rises above 200, bringing the company closer to its goal of global connectivity.
Turning point for European access to space. With the first flight of Ariane 64 carried out as planned and the satellites already deployed, the new launcher leaves the technical validation stage behind and enters effective service. The real test begins now, when operational continuity becomes as relevant as initial success.
Images | ArianeGroup
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