The European Space Agency has approved the design of the rocket Ariane-6

The European Space Agency has approved the design of the rocket Ariane-6

        On the eve of the European Space Agency said it has approved the basic design and main technical parameters of the new European launcher Ariane 6. Relevant committees have reviewed and approved the development of a space rocket. According to the approved parameters of the rocket Ariane 6 will bring to Earth geosynchronous orbit machines weighing from 3 to 6.5 tons, which completely covers both government and commercial needs.

       Today, Ariane-5 is used for launching large satellites for telecommunication operators scientific space telescopes or satellites for environmental monitoring. Current rocket to launch satellites ESA Ariane 5 has a capacity of over 20 tons and can accommodate multiple payloads, but is expensive to operate. According to the head of the European Space Agency (ESA), the first launch of the new European launcher Ariane 6 is scheduled for 2021-2022 years. Head of the National Center of Space Research of France (CNES), Jean-Yves Le Gall said that the smaller size of the new rocket and the new technology will make the launch Ariane 6 is 30% cheaper than the Ariane 5 launch which will cost 100 million euros with a 6-ton satellite on board. Total for the project will need about 4 billion euros of investment.

        Under the terms of the project, the design and creation of the rocket Ariane 6 will make the maximum use of technology applied in the creation of Ariane 5, to save time and reduce costs. This April, the European aerospace concern Arianespace launched the program of modernization of the launch vehicle Ariane 5 ECA . The report Arianespace says it plans to make to the design of the rocket many small changes, which resulted in the Ariane 5 carrying capacity will increase by 400 kg.

         New models of rockets with increased capacity will be put into operation by the end of 2010. Experts say that the updated version of the Ariane 5 can output the two telecommunications satellites weighing up to 9100 kg into geostationary orbit. According to Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall, the planned changes will not affect the appearance of the missile or its hardware features. Most of the changes will affect engine and upper stage rocket.