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E-mail Xinhua, July 10, 2024
Europe's latest rocket Ariane 6 successfully lifted off Tuesday on its maiden flight from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.
The 56-meter-tall rocket is carrying four deployers that will release nine satellites away from the Ariane 6 upper stage at 600 km above Earth, the European Space Agency (ESA) said.
According to the ESA, Ariane 6 is available in two versions depending on the performance required: a version with two boosters, called Ariane 62, and Ariane 64 with four boosters.
Ariane 62 can launch payloads of approximately 4.5 tonnes into geostationary transfer orbit or 10.3 tonnes into low Earth orbit, while Ariane 64 can launch payloads of approximately 11.5 tonnes into geostationary transfer orbit and 21.6 tonnes into low Earth orbit, the ESA said.
Ariane 6 rocket has the ability to restart its upper stage up to four times. This innovation allows Ariane 6 to deorbit its upper stage after the mission has ended, minimizing space debris, the agency added.
The decision to start developing Ariane 6 was made in 2014 to ensure Europe's independent access to space. Europe's Ariane 5 rocket completed successfully its final flight in July 2023.
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