Ariane 6: Can It Power Missions to Mars?

Europe's New Rocket Poised for Liftoff

First Flight to Test Commercial Viability

After years of delays, Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket is finally poised for liftoff. The maiden flight, scheduled for next week, will test whether Europe can rebuild credibility in the commercial launch market.

The Ariane 6 is fully expendable, meaning that all of its stages fall into the ocean after launch. This makes it more expensive to operate than partially reusable rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9. However, ESA hopes that the Ariane 6's reliability and performance will make it a competitive option for satellite and space mission launches.

One of the most ambitious missions that the Ariane 6 is expected to support is ESA's Earth Return Orbiter mission to Mars, which is scheduled for launch in 2026. The Earth Return Orbiter will study the Martian atmosphere and climate, and it will collect samples of the planet's surface for return to Earth.

The Ariane 6 is a key part of Europe's plans to regain independent access to space. If it is successful, the Ariane 6 will give Europe a reliable and cost-effective way to launch satellites and space probes into orbit.