Vertical liftoff as Ariane 6 takes flight for the first time

Ariane 6 launches to the sky on 9 July 2024 on its inaugural flight VA262.

Europe’s newest heavy-lift rocket, provides great power and flexibility at a lower cost than its predecessors. The launcher’s configuration – with an upgraded main stage, a choice of either two or four powerful boosters and a new restartable upper stage – provides Europe with greater efficiency and possibility as it can launch multiple missions into different orbits on a single flight, while its upper stage will deorbit itself at the end of mission.

This image was also selected as one of the eight-stamp collector's set initiated by La Poste de Guyane, La Poste's regional branch in French Guiana.