FWIW: Last Ariane 5 launch

[jeallen01]

On the news this morning as above - apparently priced out of the market by re-usuable launchers from Space-X etc., and the proposed re-usable Ariane 6 launcher being many years late.

What now for the ESA?

 

[topdog]

If commercial companies do it better and cheaper, NASA, ESA etc. can focus on research, science and new technologies.

 

[jeallen01]

If commercial companies do it better and cheaper, NASA, ESA etc. can focus on research, science and new technologies.

That should work - but only if the commercial companies are based and run in Europe because one of the main aims of the ESA was/is to ensure that Europe is not dependent on "outside" suppliers (that was one of the aims of the Ariane programme in the first place).

 

[7mdish]

Do you think that the launch base in Kourou will be dismissed?

 

[jeallen01]

No idea - you need to put that question to the ESA!

 

[solly]

ariane 6 plan to be launch first q1 2024

 

[jeallen01]

ariane 6 plan to be launch first q1 2024

Interesting.

Also I think I made a mistake in saying that Ariane 6 will be a re-usable launch vehicle, but maybe someone else could clarify the situation?

 

[solly]

OHB expects first Ariane 6 launch in early 2024

A key Ariane 6 supplier expects the rocket to make its first launch within a year, but ruled out any chance the vehicle could fly before the end of 2023.

spacenews.com