chsyys/KaboomPics
The Ariane 6 rocket completed its inaugural commercial flight on Thursday from French Guiana, carrying a French military observation satellite into orbit.
After multiple postponements, including a last-minute delay on Monday, the European spacecraft successfully launched from Kourou.
“Ariane 6 and the CAO-3 satellite are in a secure and steady state,” stated the organization managing the launcher’s operation and promotion.
The launch was canceled on Monday, half an hour before it was supposed to happen, because of a valve malfunction in a supply pipe.
The executive president of Arianespace, David Cavaillolès, described the valve as a “bulky equipment” weighing 150 kg.
The tests conducted prior to the launch revealed abnormal behavior, leading to the decision to halt the countdown until the malfunction is identified and rectified.
The mission, originally planned for December, was first delayed to 26 February and then to 3 March.
The CAO-3 satellite will finalize the Earth’s small network of surveillance for the French Ministry of Defense, enhancing its intelligence capabilities.
It will be feasible to obtain images of very high quality using the satellite.