Raja M. on LinkedIn: Long-Awaited Ariane 6 Rocket Faces Tough Odds in First Launch (2024)

The hot firing of the development model of the solid fuel rocket motor at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 16 July, 2018.Photo: ESA/CNESThe highly anticipated first flight of Ariane 6 may finally take place this summer after years of delays. But before we can get too excited, European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher is already setting the rocket up for failure without it even reaching the launchpad yet.Why Alex Garland Loves Science FictionDuring a panel discussion at the 39th Space Symposium held this week, Aschbacher pointed out that heavy-lift rockets have a 47% chance of experiencing a major anomaly during their inaugural flights, European Spaceflight reported. Although he didn’t refer to Ariane 6 specifically, the statement puts a major damper on the upcoming debut of the long-awaited heavy-lift rocket.Ariane 6 has been in development for more than a decade. The 197-foot-tall (60-meter) rocket is capable of lifting 10 metric tons to low Earth orbit, 4.5 metric tons to Sun synchronous orbital (SSO) altitudes reaching 500 miles (800 kilometers), and upwards of 10.5 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbits (GEO). French company Arianespace is developing the rocket on behalf of ESA, with Ariane 6 serving as a successor to the now-retired Ariane 5. The legendary rocket performed its final flight in July, ending a 27-year run.During that time, Ariane 5 served as the European market’s main ride to space and, without it, Europe is scrambling for rocket options that can deliver its payloads to orbit. After cutting ties with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, Europe was forced to stop relying on the Soyuz rockets for access to space. ESA recently turned to U.S. company SpaceX to deliver its Euclid telescope, which launched on July 1, 2023 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.The inaugural launch of Ariane 6 was initially slated for 2020 and later rescheduled to late 2022, mainly due to the covid-19 pandemic and additional technical hurdles encountered in its development. The maiden voyage of the rocket was consistently delayed after that, with a key test of the rocket’s upper stage in December 2023 aborted after two minutes of engine firing.Arianespace did not publish any details regarding its investigation into the failed test. However, Ariane 6 is now tentatively scheduled for liftoff in June or July of this year. Even if the rocket does get to take off this summer, Aschbacher’s comments remind us that success is barely a 50-50 shot.For more spaceflight in your life, follow us on X and bookmark Gizmodo’s dedicated Spaceflight page.Source link By Nakisisa George

ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization's successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 Mission to the Moon with support of ESA and GoonhillyThis ambitious mission includes a lunar lander and rover conducting scientific activities on the lunar surface for a period of 14 days. ESA's #Estrack #Kourou #GroundStation plays a crucial role in tracking the spacecraft during its launch and journey, ensuring its safe passage to the Moon. This collaborative effort exemplifies the spirit of international cooperation in advancing the frontiers of space exploration. The successful outcome of #Chandrayaan3 is a testament to the combined efforts of ISRO, ESA, Goonhilly, and other stakeholders involved in this groundbreaking mission.Chandrayaan-3 is just one of two ISRO missions that ESA will support this summer. ISRO’s Aditya-L1 solar observatoryis due to launch towards the end of August where ESA's #FlightDynamics experts at ESOC contribute their expertisefor the precise orbit determination, enabling effective communication and instrument calibration.More on ESA’s support of Chandryaan-3 and upcoming ISRO missions 👉 https://lnkd.in/esP8pVke

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The propulsion module will carry the lander into lunar orbit, which will separate and begin its descent to the surface around 23 August. The propulsion module will remain in lunar orbit and use its scientific payload to study Earth. The lander module is equipped with instruments to measure the surface temperature and seismic activity around the landing site, a laser retroreflector provided by NASA, and more. The rover’s instruments will be used to investigate the composition of nearby lunar surface material. Surface operations will last for approximately 14 days. Communication is an essential part of every deep space mission. Ground stations on Earth keep operators safely connected to spacecraft as they venture into the unknowns and risks of space. Without ground station support, it’s impossible to get any data from a spacecraft, to know how it’s doing, to know if it is safe or even to know where it is. ISRO operates a 32-metre deep space tracking station in India that enables it to locate, track, command and receive telemetry and scientific data from its distant spacecraft. But sometimes, ISRO’s operators need to track or command a spacecraft when it is outside the field of view of this antenna.Building new giant antennas and control stations around the world is very expensive. So, like many space agencies and commercial companies across the globe, ISRO will receive support from the stations of partner organisations instead. Not only does this significantly reduces costs, but it also fosters international spaceflight collaboration. Thanks to its global ‘Estrack’ network of deep space stations, ESA can help its partners track, command and receive data from spacecraft almost anywhere in the Solar System via its ESOC mission control centre in Darmstadt, Germany. ESA’s 15 m antenna in Kourou, French Guiana, will be used to track Chandrayaan-3 during the days after launch to help ensure that the spacecraft survived the rigours of lift off and is in good health as it begins its journey to the Moon.As the spacecraft recedes from Earth, ESA will coordinate tracking support from the 32-metre antenna operated by Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd in the UK. Goonhilly will support Chandrayaan-3’s propulsion and lander modules. Crucially, it will support the lander during the entire phase of lunar surface operations, helping to ensure that science data acquired by the rover arrives safely with ISRO in India. Data and telemetry sent back by Chandrayaan-3 arriving via Kourou and Goonhilly will first be forwarded to ESOC. From there, they will be sent to ISRO for analysis. The two European stations will compliment support from NASA’s Deep Space Network and ISRO’s own stations to ensure the spacecraft’s operators never lose sight of their pioneering Moon craft.Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gA5gznJ8 #Chandrayaan3 #ESA#NASA #ISRO

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As 2024 kicks into gear, we invite you to look ahead with ESA and see what awaits us in the coming 12 months. After Ariane 5’s retirement in 2023, Europe’s new and versatile heavy-duty launcher Ariane 6 will continue the Ariane legacy of excellence and reliability. After years of development and construction, Ariane 6 will be ready for its first flight from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou. In 2024, we’ll see a return-to-flight for Vega-C. Vega-C will continue to provide Europe with its own affordable lightweight launcher. Together both projects guarantee Europe’s independent access to space.We also continue to collaborate internationally with NASA on the Artemis lunar programme. This Spring, another European Service Module, ESM-3, for the third Artemis mission will be shipped to the United States for mating with its Orion capsule. In 2024, Proba-3 will be launched, the first precision formation-flying mission. The Coronagraph and Occulter spacecraft will fly together forming a 144 m coronagraph studying the Sun’s corona closer to the solar rim than ever before.At the beginning of the year, the first scientific data gathered by our latest space telescope, Euclid, will be revealed. Euclid was designed to explore the composition and evolution of dark matter and dark energy. Another exciting mission that will launch later in 2024 is the Hera mission. This mission will fly to the binary asteroid system of Dimorphos and Didymos to observe the aftermath of the impact made by NASA’s Dart mission. In Earth observation, there are several satellites ready to be launched: the ESA/JAXA mission EarthCARE mission, the Arctic Weather Satellite mission and the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-1C and Sentinel-2C satellites. 2024 will bring new developments as well for Galileo: two more first-generation satellites are to be launched in April, followed by two more later in the year. These will expand the constellation and help guarantee Galileo’s optimal performance. Meanwhile, the first hardware deliveries will take place for the second-generation Galileo satellites.The five career astronauts from the 2022 astronaut class will finish their basic training this year and then be ready for mission assignments. For Swedish project astronaut Marcus Wandt, there is no such wait. In January, he will be launched to the Space Station as a mission specialist on the Axiom-3 commercial mission - just time to catch up in space with his Danish colleague, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen, who is scheduled to return to Earth after a six-month stay on the Space Station in February.#ESA#Ariane6#ESM#Galileo#ISS

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A historic day at Cape Canaveral saw the test flight of a landmark launch. It didn't take place at SpaceX facilities, but at United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Space Launch Complex-41, where the veteran astronaut Atlas V rocket is set to take off. Instead, it was a Vulcan Centaur that launched on January 8th at 7:18 UTC, right at the start of its launch window, to complete its first certification mission (Cert-1). On board were two payloads, including Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar module, aiming to be the first commercial mission to the lunar surface (the first from the US since Apollo 17), and DNA of various deceased individuals, including Star Trek actors, as part of a commemorative mission by Celestis Memorial Spaceflights. ULA and Blue Origin achieved a resounding success... The ascent of the rocket, helped by two solid side boosters, and the separation of the second stage Centaur V, with its three successful ignitions, all went perfectly. The lunar module was inserted into the expected orbit before embarking on its lunar journey, and its payload of funeral urns was deployed on a trajectory towards interplanetary space. The first stage of the Vulcan rocket (much larger than an Atlas V) was successfully boosted by two BE-4 engines developed by Blue Origin. These engines are a key part of the Vulcan's design, as they represent a radical shift in ULA's propulsion technology, which previously used Russian-made Rostvertol RD-180 engines powered by kerosene. This was the first American methane-powered rocket to reach orbit. A successful demonstration, the Vulcan outperformed SpaceX's Starship and Terran 1 by Relativity Space as the first American methane-powered rocket to reach orbit. Additionally, it was the first to reach orbit on its first attempt, as the Zhuque 2 of Chinese company LandSpace failed to reach orbit until its third flight. For ULA, this was mission 159 with a 100% success rate. Over 70 Vulcans have been sold, mostly to Amazon. Cert-1 was the first of two certification flights required for the US Space Force to allow satellite launches aboard the Vulcan. Cert-2 is scheduled for the coming months with Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spacecraft aboard. The future of the rocket looks promising. ULA has completed the launch of over 70 Vulcans to date, including 38 missions for Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation. The rocket can be configured with up to six side boosters to launch up to 27 tons to low Earth orbit or 15 tons to geostationary orbit, more than a Delta IV Heavy.

🛰️Space Exploration Milestone: Tyvak International's Milani - European Space Agency - ESA's First Deep-Space Nano Satellite...Tyvak International has reached a pivotal milestone with the successful completion of the Test Readiness Review for the Milani spacecraft. This development marks a significant leap forward in the Hera planetary defense mission. Let's delve into the key aspects of this groundbreaking achievement:🚀 Deep-Space Pioneering:▪️ Milani is primed to be the European Space Agency's (ESA) inaugural deep-space nanosatellite.▪️ It stands out as the first nanosatellite to potentially orbit an asteroid, showcasing a new era in space exploration.📈 Collaborative Innovation:▪️ Tyvak's leadership in small satellite solutions exemplifies Europe's burgeoning expertise in space technology.▪️ The project's success is underpinned by a collaborative effort among European industries and research centers, emphasizing the strength of international partnerships.🛠️ Advancing Planetary Defense:▪️ Milani is central to the Hera mission, the world's first test of asteroid deflection.▪️ The mission exploits groundbreaking technologies for autonomous asteroid navigation and low-gravity proximity operations.🗣️ Marc Bell, Terran Orbital Corporation Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO:"Terran Orbital is proud of Tyvak International’s successful achievement... We are honored by the trust placed in Tyvak International by ESA, and we look forward to... cutting-edge satellite solutions for missions like Hera Mission.”How will Milani’s journey impact our approach to planetary defense and space exploration?https://lnkd.in/ejRwNp2E#SpaceExploration #PlanetaryDefense #ESA #HeraMission #Innovation

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The European Space Agency (ESA) may be a separate agency than the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) but it is playing a crucial role in the Indian agency’s Aditya-L1 solar observatory mission set to launch on 2 September 2023. This is according to a press release by the European agency published on Thursday. “ESA’s global network of deep space tracking stations and use of internationally recognised technical standards allows us to help our partners track, command and receive data from their spacecraft almost anywhere in the Solar System,” said Ramesh Chellathurai, ESA Service Manager and ESA Cross-Support Liaison Officer for ISRO. “For the Aditya-L1 mission, we are providing support from all three of our 35-metre deep space antennas in Australia, Spain and Argentina, as well as support from our Kourou station in French Guiana and coordinated support from Goonhilly Earth Station in the UK.” With these tools, ESA will offer deep space communication services to the mission. In 2022, the agency also assisted ISRO with the validation of its new flight dynamics software. Aditya-L1 will be heading to the first Lagrange point, L1, situated between Earth and the Sun, roughly one percent of the distance to the Sun. This spot not only offers clear views of our star but also boasts the right gravitational forces and orbital motion to create a space where a spacecraft can function without having to use a lot of fuel. This is by definition the meaning of a Lagrange point. However, L1 is a notoriously unstable location. In order for Aditya-L1 to reach this point and stay in orbit, agencies on Earth need to be kept aware of where exactly the spacecraft is and where it is heading.Once the Aditya-L1 spacecraft is safely in orbit, it will use seven instruments to study our powerful Sun and answer crucial questions such as why the outer layers of the star remain hotter than its surface, and the origin and variation of solar flares. Out of the seven tools, four will be placed to view the Sun directly, while three will undertake in-situ measurements. The mission is a great illustration of the incredible things that can be achieved when international space organizations work together for the advancement and development of science initiatives. In the past, ESA has worked with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) on perfecting the interplanetary orbit determination software for ESA’s Mars Express mission and for the comet-hunting mission Rosetta.Full Article: https://lnkd.in/e36SehUY #ISRO#ESA#AdityaL1 Image: Aditya-L1 ISRO.

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#Chandrayaan #INDIAN #MoonCUSoonChandrayaan 3 's Rover and lander will spend 14 days carrying out scientific activities on the surface.In addition to ISRO’s own deep space communication antenna, the mission will rely on support from ground stations around the world, coordinated by ESA and NASA.Communication is an essential part of every deep space mission. Ground stations on Earth keep operators safely connected to spacecraft as they venture into the unknowns and risks of space. Without ground station support, it’s impossible to get any data from a spacecraft, to know how it’s doing, to know if it is safe or even to know where it is.ISRO operates a 32-metre deep space tracking station in India that enables it to locate, track, command and receive telemetry and scientific data from its distant spacecraft. But sometimes, ISRO’s operators need to track or command a spacecraft when it is outside the field of view of this antenna.Building new giant antennas and control stations around the world is very expensive. So, like many space agencies and commercial companies across the globe, ISRO will receive support from the stations of partner organisations instead. Not only does this significantly reduces costs, but it also fosters international spaceflight collaboration.Thanks to its global ‘Estrack’ network of deep space stations, ESA can help its partners track, command and receive data from spacecraft almost anywhere in the Solar System via its ESOC mission control centre in Darmstadt, Germany. ESA’s 15 m antenna in Kourou, French Guiana, will be used to track Chandrayaan-3 during the days after launch to help ensure that the spacecraft survived the rigours of lift off and is in good health as it begins its journey to the Moon.As the spacecraft recedes from Earth, ESA will coordinate tracking support from the 32-metre antenna operated by Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd in the UK. Goonhilly will support Chandrayaan-3’s propulsion and lander modules. Crucially, it will support the lander during the entire phase of lunar surface operations, helping to ensure that science data acquired by the rover arrives safely with ISRO in India. Data and telemetry sent back by Chandrayaan-3 arriving via Kourou and Goonhilly will first be forwarded to ESOC. From there, they will be sent to ISRO for analysis. The two European stations will compliment support from NASA’s Deep Space Network and ISRO’s own stations to ensure the spacecraft’s operators never lose sight of their pioneering Moon craft.

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India's space agency, ISRO - Indian Space Research Organization, has made remarkable strides in #space exploration and #satellite deployment. Central to their #achievements are the reliable and efficient #launch vehicles that have propelled India's aspirations beyond Earth's atmosphere. SLV-3: The PioneerThe Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (#SLV-3), developed in the 1970s, was ISRO's first indigenous launch vehicle. Though primarily intended for launching small payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO), it laid the foundation for subsequent launch vehicle developments. The SLV-3 played a crucial role in placing India's first satellite, Rohini-1, into orbit in 1980, marking India's entry into the exclusive club of spacefaring nations.ASLV: Expanding AmbitionsThe Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (#ASLV) was developed as an advanced version of the SLV-3. It was capable of placing a larger payload into LEO. Though ASLV had only four developmental flights between 1987 and 1994, it demonstrated India's growing capabilities and paved the way for future endeavors.PSLV: The WorkhorseThe Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (#PSLV) stands as ISRO's most reliable and versatile launch vehicle to date. First launched in 1993, the PSLV has achieved numerous milestones and gained global recognition for its successful missions. With its capability to deliver a variety of satellites into different orbits, including sun-synchronous orbit (#SSO) and geostationary transfer #orbit (#GTO), the PSLV has been instrumental in India's remote sensing, navigation, and #communication satellite deployments. Notable achievements include the successful Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission in 2008 and the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013.GSLV: Bridging the GapTo cater to heavier payloads, ISRO developed the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (#GSLV) series. The GSLV employs cryogenic propulsion technology, allowing it to place heavier communication satellites into GTO. The initial versions utilized Russian cryogenic engines, while later versions incorporated indigenous cryogenic engines. GSLV's successful missions have contributed to India's communication satellite fleet, ensuring self-reliance in satellite launches.GSLV Mk III: The Heavyweight ChampionThe Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (#GSLV Mk III) is ISRO's most powerful launch vehicle. Capable of launching heavier payloads, including the ambitious Chandrayaan-2 mission, the GSLV Mk III features a fully indigenous cryogenic engine. Its success signifies India's advancements in mastering complex technologies and its potential to undertake more ambitious #space missions. To share the same goals and high dreams as ISRO do join hands with the vision of our company at (www.omspace.in)#omspace #omspacerocketandexplorationpvtltd #launchvehicles #launchpad #isro # #india #future #success #technology #share

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Space Updates for Week 3 of 2024:🚀 Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) crew, including ESA astronaut Marcus Wandt, successfully docks Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) for a two-week mission.Read more: https://lnkd.in/gabsqf8P✈ NASA and Lockheed Martin unveil X-59 supersonic jet, aiming to redefine the future of supersonic travel with speeds of 925 mph and reduced sonic booms.Read more: https://lnkd.in/g4zcZ43K🌕 Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) achieves precision landing on the moon, becoming the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the lunar surface, despite solar power challenges.Read more: https://lnkd.in/gZyV4axh🌏 China’s Tianzhou 6 cargo spacecraft concludes successful mission, deorbits and burns up in Earth’s atmosphere after delivering supplies and conducting experiments on China’s Tiangong space station.Read more: https://lnkd.in/gzzwNiKw#axiomspace #esa #iss #spaceexploration #nasa #lockheedmartin #supersonic #aerospaceinnovation #x59 #jaxa #moonlanding #moonmission #tiangongspacestation

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