The Ariane 6 rocket completed its wet-dress rehearsal test as European space officials work to ready their newest launcher for a July 9 inaugural mission.
Startups Isar Aerospace, PLD Space and Rocket Factory Augsburg already have agreed to use the refurbished ELM-Diamant launch complex in Kourou, French Guiana.
With the Ariane 6 seeing progress at last and Avio leaving Arianespace, the European Space Agency takes steps toward a competition for Europe’s future launchers.