Europe Strives for Self-Sufficiency in Space Industry; Ariane 6 Successfully Places Multiple Satellites in Earth's Orbit

The European Space Agency has deemed the successful launch of Ariane 6 into space and the placement of various satellites into Earth's orbit as a "major success," representing an important step towards greater independence for Europe in accessing space. The Ariane 6 rocket was launched independently on July 10 of this year from the Guiana Space Centre in France, without assistance from American space agencies. Ariane 6 replaces the Ariane 5 rocket, which was retired last year after 27 years of service. This new rocket utilizes more advanced technologies and is capable of carrying heavier payloads at lower costs, providing greater flexibility for launching various types of satellites. Ariane 6 is the first European shuttle model in the past 30 years, built at a cost of 4 billion euros with the participation of thirteen European countries. The propulsion systems for this rocket were developed by Italian aerospace companies, Belgian companies contributed in areas such as telecommunications and satellite technology, Spanish companies participated in ground support equipment, and Swiss companies were responsible for producing its guidance and navigation systems. It is reported that while the "Ariane 6" rocket is planned for 9 to 12 launches annually until 2026, space agencies and private companies have already reserved 30 missions with it. The first launch of "Ariane 6" was scheduled for 2020, but a series of technical problems along with disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war led to this four-year delay. During this time, Europe relied on American companies to launch its satellites into space.