ESA Shelves Ariane 6 Block 3 Upgrades as €80 Million Launch Costs Cloud Rocket’s Future
Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Aug 20
ESA Shelves Ariane 6 Block 3 Upgrades as €80 Million Launch Costs Cloud Rocket’s Future
3 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Aug 20
Summary
Eight Ariane 6 missions have reached orbit safely since the rocket’s debut, but ESA has now put its Block 3 upgrade path on ice, including the ICARUS lightweight upper stage.
High costs drove the decision: European funding ministers balked at further spending, and Ariane 6 launch prices are estimated at roughly €80 million to €100 million each.
The shelved upgrade complicates planning for some ESA science missions, including a proposed Enceladus probe that had been tied to the lighter upper-stage concept.
Ariane 6 still gives Europe independent access to orbit after the break with Russian launchers following the Ukraine war, and Amazon remains a major customer with 18 booked launches, three already flown this year.