Europe's new heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6, prepares for its inaugural mission this summer.

The Ariane 6 rocket has reached a major milestone by standing upright on its launch pad in French Guiana. This heavy-lift vehicle marks the beginning of a new era for European space autonomy, with its first launch scheduled for summer 2024.

The rocket's central core, comprising both main and upper stages, was moved 800 meters from the assembly building to the launch site at a speed of 3 km/h. Once positioned on the launch table, it was integrated with two solid-fuel boosters to complete its vertical configuration.

Designed to secure Europe's independent access to space, the Ariane 6 is set to launch from the European Spaceport in French Guiana. This mission represents a strategic effort to bolster European prosperity and capabilities in the global space sector.

Source: Ariane 6 stands tall for launch