ESA Space Transport
Latest news on @esa.int's launches, projects and developments in space transportation.
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- Building a working rocket engine is one thing. But igniting the engine in a stable and repeatable way? A whole other. The Exploration Company, based in Bordeaux, France, has tested a resonance igniter for rocket engines: a new way to start their rocket engines, without external ignition devices.
- What does versatility mean for Ariane 6? 🤹♀️ It means Ariane 6 can have many versions, according to its modular design. Ariane 6 can have either 2 or 4 boosters, each giving 3500 kN of thrust to the rocket. The fairing comes in two sizes and houses multiple satellites in several configurations.
- For the first time, with 4 boosters! 🚀 Flight #VA267 is set to liftoff from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on 12 February between 16:45–17:13 GMT (17:45–18:13 CET, 13:45–14:13 local time). With four boosters, Ariane 6 will take 32 satellites for Amazon’s Leo constellation to low-Earth orbit.
- New launch window for second flight of Isar Aerospace's Spectrum launcher: no earlier than 19 March isaraerospace.com/press/new-av...
- Every job has its responsibilities, some bigger than others. Picture this: you're driving a custom built 36-wheeled truck with 142 tonnes of solid rocket fuel, aka explosive rocket propellant, as cargo. How would you feel? 😰
- Happy International LEGO day! To celebrate this day, we've built our own Ariane 6 designed by @legorocket.bsky.social 🧱
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- 1️⃣…2️⃣…3️⃣…4️⃣ ! All four boosters for the next #Ariane6 have been moved to the launch pad and are attached to the rocket. For the first time Ariane 6 will launch with four boosters, the most powerful version of our heavy-lift rocket – liftoff set for 12 February. More 📸: www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
- A beacon of light, the launch pad for the first Ariane 6 with four boosters awaits.
- What are your plans for 2026? We have a few ideas... Take a look at what’s ahead for @esa.int this year ⤵️ www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
- 🎫 Two new missions grabbed their tickets to fly on the RFA One rocket from Saxavord, UK: 1. Lurbat, a collection of demonstrator technologies, developed by Added Value Solutions, Spain/UK. 2. Two cubesats developed by Indra, Spain, holding five experiments.
- Isar Aerospace is standing down from today’s launch attempt to address an issue with a pressurisation valve. Their teams are currently assessing the next possible launch opportunities and a new target date will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for more information.
- Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum launcher is getting ready for liftoff from Andøya Spaceport in Norway 🚀🇳🇴 Spectrum is taking 6 passengers into low Earth orbit: five cubesats and an experiment. Liftoff is targeted to no earlier than 21 January. www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
- It's no news that we are constantly improving our rockets 🚀 But did you know we are using AI to help with that? @esa.int’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme is investigating how to use AI for better processes and new shapes in materials that could be used on rockets or spacecraft.
- Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum launcher is getting ready for liftoff from Andøya Spaceport in Norway 🚀🇳🇴 Spectrum is taking 6 passengers into low Earth orbit: five cubesats and an experiment. Liftoff is targeted to no earlier than 21 January. www.esa.int/Enabling_Sup...
- Before liftoff, Vega-C's parts are stacked on top of each other. After liftoff, those parts get separated in stages, before the payloads are released into their orbits, hence the name rocket stage. This new infographic shows, in detail, Vega-C's main parts and what they do ⤵️
- Building a rocket takes time and precision ⏳ This video shows a robot carefully layering an epoxy-impregnated carbon-fibre tape onto the surface of a P120C motor, used to power the Vega-C and Ariane 6 rockets. 📍🎥 Avio's Vega-C Production Factory
- Over 300 000 parts working together for safety 🤝 Back-ups, testing, careful handling and safety algorithms are some of the key things that make sure #Ariane6 leaves Earth safely and reaches its destination.
- European launchers are ramping up 🚀 ATD Aerospace, from Romania, is developing a 10 kN rocket that can re-ignite and adjust its thrust. The firing test seen here shows a water-cooled version as it cycles from 100% thrust to 60% and back to 100%. www.esa.int/ESA_Multimed...
- Have you met Astris? 🤔 It's an orbital transfer vehicle under development for Ariane 6. Astris will add on Ariane 6's capabilities, by allowing it to transport payloads between orbits and reach more destinations. Here's how it will look ↓
- The parts that will form the next #Ariane6 rocket have arrived Europe's Spaceport in . 🚢🚚🚀 The sixth Ariane 6 launch will be the first with four boosters, taking Amazon Leo satellites to orbit.
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- Everybody wants to feel cozy during winter 🧣 And that's how payloads feel under our fairings! Vega-C's fairing protects payloads from harmful natural environments (humidity, rain, sunlight, and dust particles) on the launch pad and from aero-thermal fluxes during the atmospheric flight phase.
- How's your energy for 2026? ⚡️ We're starting the year reminiscing about our last launch of 2025 ✨ Ariane 6 flight VA266 took Galileo satellites 33 and 34 into orbit. This is what you would see if you were at the foot of the rocket during liftoff ⬇️ PS: We don't really recommend you to do that.
