Europe is preparing to launch its most powerful four-booster Ariane 64 rocket from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana on Thursday, aiming to strengthen its position in the global space industry.
The Ariane 64 mission will deploy 32 satellites for Amazon Leo’s broadband constellation, marking a significant milestone in Europe’s efforts to expand satellite-based internet coverage worldwide.
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ArianeGroup’s Chief Technology Officer, Herve Gilibert, said the rocket is now twice as powerful as previous versions, capable of carrying much heavier payloads, and will debut the four-booster configuration for Ariane 6.
The European Space Agency manages the project with contributions from all member nations, while the main technical work occurs in Bremen, Germany, for the upper stage and Les Mureaux, France, for the lower stage.
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The mission is expected to last nearly 1 hour and 50 minutes, completing a full orbit to accurately deploy all 32 satellites into their designated positions in space.
Europe hopes that Ariane 64 will help it compete with leading global players, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX, by offering reliable heavy-lift capabilities and enhancing its reputation in the commercial launch market.