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Arianespace at the 17th European Space Conference. Photo: Arianespace

Arianespace at the 17th European Space Conference.  Photo: Arianespace

Arianespace signed three launch agreements for the Ariane 6 rocket between the European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA), EUMETSAT and the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), the company announced this week. 

ESA will launch the Planetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) satellite aboard the Ariane 6 rocket at the end of 2026, targeting the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L2, Arianespace announced Jan. 29. PLATO is designed to detect and characterize Earth-like exoplanets using an array of 26 cameras.

The European Commission and ESA will launch Sentinel-1D with the two-booster version of Ariane 6 in the second half of 2025. As a part of the Copernicus Earth observation system, the satellite will carry radar technology to provide an all-weather, day-and-night supply of imagery of the Earth’s surface, delivering data essential to monitoring. 

EUMETSAT’s Metop-SG-A1 satellite is moving up in the schedule to launch in August 2025 on Ariane 6’s second commercial flight (VA264). Metop-SG-A1 will provide weather and climate observation from polar orbit. The satellite will also carry the Sentinel-5 payload, to provide high-resolution data on various atmospheric parameters, supporting global air quality monitoring and climate application.

“By reaffirming their trust towards Europe’s new heavy-lift Ariane 6 launcher, our European partners strengthen Europe’s space industry and its sovereignty. We are extremely proud to deliver what we are committed to providing: Europe’s autonomous access to space,” said Arianespace’s CEO David Cavaillolès.

The European Commission and the EUSPA also agreed to the launch of the first two second-generation satellites of the Galileo navigation constellation on Ariane 6. This contract represents the fourth mission for Ariane 6 benefiting the Galileo constellation.

EUSPA’s executive director, Rodrigo da Costa said: “This launch contract is a key milestone for Galileo’s second generation, enhancing precision and reliability for users worldwide. EUSPA is proud to support the European Union’s space autonomy and deliver innovative services to citizens globally.”

Arianespace announced these launch agreements during the 17th European Space Conference. 

The Ariane 6 made its debut launch in July 2024, successfully deploying all satellites onboard. ArianeGroup is the main contractor that designed the Ariane 6 rocket.

This story was updated after publication to include the PLATO contract.

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