Welcome everyone! It’s time for the first operational launch of Ariane 6!

This follows a previous launch attempt earlier in the week which was scrubbed due to GSE issues.

Scheduled for (UTC)	2025-03-06 16:24
Scheduled for (local)	2025-03-06 13:24 (GFT)
Launch site	ELA-4, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana
Launch vehicle	Ariane 62
Payload	CSO-3
Mission success criteria	Successful launch and deployment of payloads into Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Livestreams

Stream	Link
ESA	https://www.youtube.com/@EuropeanSpaceAgency/streams
Arianespace (English)	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvvUCkAUqvI
Arianespace (Français)	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-45oYBZHOs
Space Affairs	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAEVfzW5xWc
The Launch Pad	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsbYwkOcy6M

Stats

☑️ 1st Ariane 6 mission of 2025, 2nd overall

☑️ 1st Arianespace mission of 2025, 300th overall

Payload info

The French CSO (Composante Spatiale Optique) high-resolution reconnaissance satellites are the optical space component of the MUSIS program that will replace the current Hélios 2 military observation satellites.

CNES, the French space agency, has notified Astrium that the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement), the French arms procurement agency, has awarded the company a 795€ million contract for two satellites for the CSO program. The contract also includes an option for a third satellite.

As the prime contractor for the CSO satellites programme, Astrium will provide the agile platform and avionics, and will also be responsible for the integration work, testing, and delivery of the satellites to CNES. Thales Alenia Space will provide Astrium with very high-resolution optical instruments.

Please feel free to post updates and questions in the comments!