[Satellite TODAY 07-15-13] After a meeting between European space ministers gave the approval to Europe’s next-generation Ariane 6 launch vehicle, the ESA plans to consult with the satellite industry to gather competing ideas on key work packages for the new launch system. Consolidation of the current Phase A will take place at the preliminary requirements review (PRR) in October 2013.

 

     The objective of Ariane 6 is to maintain guaranteed autonomous access to space for Europe, while minimizing exploitation costs and suppressing any support to exploitation, the statement said. The performance requested for the new launch vehicle was 3 to 6.5 tons in equivalent geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), to cover both governmental and commercial needs. Ministers also requested that the new launch vehicle exploits maximum commonalities with the cryogenic reignitable upper stage of the Ariane 5 ME.