14 DAY TRIAL // Officials with the European Space Agency (ESA) say that representatives from all EU member states involved in the organization have finally agreed on the capabilities and preliminary requirements for the Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket.
The delivery system is being replaced to complement Europe's existing fleet of Ariane 5 rockets, which have proven very reliable over the years. The Ariane 6 project can now move on to its next stage, bringing Europe's heavy rocket a step closer to reality.
The Preliminary Requirements Review began on October 1, and was completed on November 6. Preparation activities for Ariane 6 began in November 2012, after an ESA Council meeting held in Naples, Italy. The concept for the rocket was selected in July 2013, just seven months later.
The extensive review that concluded last week was carried out by scientists with the Italian space agency (ISA), the French space agency (CNES), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Arianespace and ESA. The group analyzed all Ariane 6 documentation to date before issuing a final verdict of approval.
The large rocket is being developed to meet Europe's growing need for independent access to space, and for reducing the number of delivery systems they order from the United States or Russia. Ariane 6 will be capable of transferring 6.5 tonnes of cargo in equivalent geostationary transfer orbit.
The vehicle was designed to be compatible with the re-ignitable upper stage used by the ME version of the Ariane 5 rocket. Experts with the agency opted for a three-stage design. The first two stages will use solid propulsion, while the third stage will use cryogenic propulsion.
As the project was being investigated by experts, ESA issued a call for proposals to the scientific community, which resulted in 160 responses related to key elements of the new launcher. Scientists with the agency will now comb through the feedback, and select any good ideas they may come across.
The next stage in the Ariane 6 construction process is the completion of the first Design Analysis Cycle, which is scheduled to occur in February 2014. The second Design Analysis Cycle will begin in March, and its conclusions will be used to inform the critical System Requirements Review, to be conducted about a year from now.