Ariane 6 to take Europe’s launchers to new heights CNES, ESA and ASL confirm development of new launcher

The Ariane 6 programme, approved at the ESA Ministerial Council meeting of 2 December 2014, seeks to halve launch costs per kilogram compared to Ariane 5. CNES has responsibility for developing ground support equipment at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) and as such is in charge of building the new ELA4 launch complex for Ariane 6. An amendment to the contract of 12 August 2015 was signed today at ESA headquarters in the presence of Thierry Mandon, Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research.