Launch vehicle · Arianespace
Ariane 6
RocketsHeavy-lift
Imagery
The last rays of an orbital sunset outline Earth’s horizon
iss072e757530 (March 6, 2025) --- The last rays of an orbital sunset outline Earth’s horizon as a thin orange layer fades into blue, illuminating the atmosphere before nightfall.
2025
NASA/Johnson · NASA media (public domain)
Overview
Europe's successor to Ariane 5, designed for greater flexibility and lower cost, with a restartable Vinci upper stage.
Components & hardware
Knowledge connections
- Operated byArianespace
- ReplacedAriane 5
- Member of familyAriane
- Launched fromEnsemble de Lancement Ariane 4
- Powered byVulcain 2
- Powered byVinci
- Derived fromAriane 5
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- ArianespaceArianespace SA
Ariane and Vega launch-vehicle families — user's manuals and mission data.
- ESAEuropean Space Agency
European missions, observatories, and space science imagery.