ESA Space Transport
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Latest news on @esa.int's launches, projects and developments in space transportation. Please see our Privacy Notice: esa.int/connectwithus
Emojis are cool, but don't you think they could be next level? 🙂↕️ Can you name all of these iconic transportation vehicles?
We might seem a bit biased but we think rockets are really cool. This is @esa.int's space transportation fleet from 2026, from left to right: Vega-C, a two-booster and a four-booster P160C-based Ariane 6, and Space Rider. Ariane and Vega rockets lift off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
When @science.esa.int's Plato mission launches next year on Ariane 6 it will have a ride-share : @technology.esa.int's Henon - a small satellite that will venture out to deep space on its own to monitor solar activity: www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
5️⃣ the fairing with payloads is moved to the mobile building and placed on top of the launcher. 6️⃣ a few hours before liftoff, the mobile building rolls away, leaving the rocket alone on the launchpad. 7️⃣ countdown and liftoff! 📸 ESA/CNES/Arianespace/ArianeGroup/Optique vidéo du CSG
3️⃣ boosters are transported to the mobile building and connected to the rocket. 4️⃣ payloads are put under the fairing, a protective nose cone which keeps them nice and safe. 📸 ESA/CNES/Arianespace/ArianeGroup/Optique vidéo du CSG
1️⃣ the main stage is connected to the upper stage horizontally, in the launch vehicle assembly building, forming the central core. 2️⃣ the central core is transported to the mobile building, where a crane lifts it to bring Ariane 6 upright. 📸 ESA/CNES/Arianespace/ArianeGroup/Optique vidéo du CSG
The road to liftoff might seem fast, but it takes weeks! These images show how Ariane 6 is built up at the launch zone. Here's what happens step by step ⤵️ 📸 @esa.int - S. Corvaja
Two years ago to this day #Ariane6 flew for the first time. The iconic countdown with every launch since, and some of our favourite views. Go Ariane! 🚀
The RFA One first stage at SaxaVord Spaceport, UK, with all of the rocket’s nine Helix engines installed. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
🚀A core stage, an upper stage and four of the most powerful boosters ever produced in Europe: liftoff! Timelapse showing how last month's most-powerful-so-far Ariane 6 was assembled at Europe's Spaceport.
One of the best competitions ever: get your drawing printed on the top of the Ariane 6 rocket that will launch Plato – and see it ascend to space 🚀 (Under 12s only) www.esa.int/kids/en/thin...
Up close: Ariane 6 rocket liftoff 🚀 This is what the most powerful rocket launch in European history looks – and sounds – like from just 141 metres from the launch pad, 17 June 2026. www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
Liftoff power! 17 June saw the debut launch of Europe's heavy-lift rocket Ariane 6 with upgraded, more powerful boosters – allowing for even more satellites to be taken to orbit in one go. www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
Vinci just fired for the last time to ensure a safe deorbit and allowing Ariane 6 to adhere to the zero debris approach.
Your parcels have been delivered! 📦 The 36 Amazon Leo satellites have separated from the rocket. Ariane 6's Auxiliary Propulsion Unit has worked non-stop during separation allowing for a quicker release of the satellites.
Impressive real footage of the four P160C boosters separating from the rocket.
The Vulcain 2.1 engine has finished its job for today, and now it's time for the Vinci engine to start (and stop and start again), on its way to their orbit.
And off goes the fairing! The two half shells of the nose cone just separated from the rocket, leaving the 36 Amazon Leo satellites exposed to space.
1, 2, 3, 4, boosters just separated from the core stage as Ariane 6 soars through the skies. The Vinci engine will keep propelling our rocket farther away.
For the first time ever, Ariane 6 with four P160C boosters stands tall on the launchpad, awaiting for the big moment. Launch is set for 17 June 2026, 08:53–09:22 local time, 13:53–14:22 CEST. Don't forget to tune in live: www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
The most powerful version of Ariane 6 (so far) 👑 With the new P160C boosters, Ariane 6 will take 36 Amazon Leo satellites to low Earth orbit. Teams at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana are doing the final checks before liftoff, set for 17 June 2026, 08:53–09:22 local time, 13:53–14:22 CEST.
Our launcher is complete. Flight VA269 has passed its Launch readiness Review yesterday, meaning it's ready for its final chronology tomorrow. Liftoff is set for 17 June 2026, 08:53–09:22 local time, 13:53–14:22 CEST, from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
Isar Aerospace is standing down from today’s Spectrum launch attempt. The teams are detecting off nominal behaviour in the vehicle's fluid systems and analysing the new data to isolate the root cause. We will keep you posted when we know more.