2023-11-23 17:27:00
The firing of the Vulcain 2.1 engine is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Kourou time, 9:30 p.m. Belgian time, on the rocket’s launch pad at the Guiana Space Center (CSG). The test will last approximately 8 minutes (470 seconds), “until the propellants (products intended for propulsion, Editor’s note) in the tanks are exhausted”, Domenico Resta, head of launch system engineering, told AFP. of Ariane 6 at ESA.
This is a “long duration” test, which must cover the entire atmospheric phase of the mission. The rocket won’t take off.
The results of this test, which is part of a series of ground tests, will not be communicated before November 30, after analysis of all the parameters. “The fundamental question will be to say whether we need to repeat the test,” said Domenico Resta.
Considered a major step in the Ariane 6 qualification campaign, the success of this test determines the setting of a date for the inaugural launch of the launcher, scheduled for 2024.
The test was initially scheduled for October 3, but had to be postponed after the detection of an anomaly on the hydraulic circuit of the system which controls the orientation of the main stage engine nozzle.
Initially planned for 2020, the first flight of Ariane 6, designed to face competition from the American launcher Space X, has been postponed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and development difficulties.
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