Arianespace and the European Space Agency (ESA) were forced to stand down from the highly anticipated launch of the Ariane 6 rocket on Monday, March 3, due to a ground systems issue. The mission, which would have marked the first Ariane 6 launch of 2025 and only the second in the program’s history, was set to lift off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
Credit: ArianeGroup
Launch Halted Minutes Before Liftoff
The countdown was proceeding as planned when the launch was scrubbed with less than 30 minutes remaining before the scheduled liftoff at 1:24 p.m. Kourou time (11:24 a.m. EST, 1624 UTC).
David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, confirmed that the delay was caused by a ground systems issue but did not provide further details. The next available launch date has not yet been announced.
When it eventually flies, this mission will serve as the first customer flight for the 56-meter (184-foot) Ariane 6 rocket. The vehicle will utilize a short payload fairing (14 meters / 46 feet in length) and two P120C solid rocket boosters to deliver its cargo to orbit.
The primary payload is the CSO-3 (Composante Spatiale Optique-3) satellite, the third and final spacecraft in the French military’s Optical Space Component program. CSO-3 will operate alongside its predecessors, CSO-1 and CSO-2, which were launched in 2018 and 2020, respectively. Together, they will enhance defense and reconnaissance capabilities for the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE).
According to Arianespace, CSO-1 and CSO-3 are primarily focused on reconnaissance, providing extensive coverage and frequent imaging over key operational areas, while CSO-2 specializes in high-resolution identification, delivering detailed images with superior precision.
The CSO constellation is a crucial element of the Multinational Space-based Imaging System (MUSIS), a collaborative initiative led by France’s Defence Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA). The French space agency (CNES) oversees the satellite contracts and launch arrangements.
Built by Airbus Defence and Space, with Thales Alenia Space supplying the high-resolution optical imaging instruments, CSO-3 is designed for a 10-year operational lifespan. The satellite will be placed in a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at approximately 800 km altitude and a 98-degree inclination. Deployment from the Ariane 6 rocket is expected around one hour and six minutes after launch.
With the Ariane 6 program still in its early stages, this mission is an important step toward establishing the rocket as Europe's next-generation launch vehicle.
Add comment
Comments