Author: Zulfikar Abbany

Rocket science is a different ball game altogether with timelines stretching years, not days. The journey of Ariane 6, Europe’s flagship heavy-lift rocket, began with a proposal in 2014, leading to a green light in 2016. The development phase from 2017 to 2019 involved rigorous testing of engines like Vulcain 2.1 and Vinci, alongside building a new test bench and launch site in French Guiana. The pandemic posed challenges in 2020-2021, but Ariane 6 bounced back in 2023 by testing its mainstage and fairing. By 2024, the rocket is all set for its inaugural flight, carrying cargo and scientific experiments…