Both of France’s space defense demonstration programs, Yoda and Toutatis, are making progress in hardware development but a launch period is hard to predict.
Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel said after the July inaugural mission, Arianespace plans 10 flights in 2027 and will average nine or 10 flights from then on.
Europe is pressing ahead with the second Ariane 6 launch, even as program officials continue to assess an upper-stage glitch during the rocket’s first flight.
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.