Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana is preparing Ariane 6's launch pad for extensive 'combined tests'. These tests will prove the systems that will support Europe's newest launch vehicle before flight.

On the launch pad, engineers are installing the steel mini-mast structures that will protect the liquid oxygen cryogenic connection systems that feed the lower umbilicals connected to Ariane 6's core stage. The mini-mast seen here is some 9.6 m high and will weight 110 tons when full equipped.

Over the last few months, Latesys under CNES responsibility and with the support of ArianeGroup, have performed tests in France to validate the disconnection and retraction functions of the launch pad mechanical systems and the mounts between launch base and rocket, and verified mechanical loads. These components will soon arrive at the Spaceport for integration on the launch pad.

Engineers will then validate the interfaces and mechanical behaviour of the umbilicals which will be connected to fluidic supplies during upcoming tests.

Related Links
Ariane 6 at ESA
Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com

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Early combined tests mimic Ariane 6 liftoff
Paris (ESA) Apr 07, 2021
Ariane 6 early combined tests at Latesys in Fos-sur-Mer, in France, have simulated the moment of liftoff when the umbilicals separate from the launch vehicle. These tests are part of the critical path towards the first flight of Europe's new Ariane 6 launch vehicle. They validate the interfaces and mechanical behaviour during separation of this complex cryogenic connection system. More extensive combined tests will be carried out at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana which will include th ... read more