The two stages for Ariane 6’s first flight are now assembled as one and ready for the next step on the road to launch. The upper stage and main stage were connected in the launcher assembly building (BAL) at Europe’s Spaceport. Together these stages form the central core of Europe’s new rocket Ariane 6.

Teams from ArianeGroup, France’s space agency CNES and ESA are working hard to get the stages ready to be moved to the all-new Ariane 6 launch pad, where the central core will be raised to its vertical launch position. This is where the two boosters for the first Ariane 6 flight will be connected, the first booster is already waiting in storage. Lastly the payloads will be placed on top of the central core and covered by the fairing – Ariane 6’s nose cone that splits vertically in two.

The stages were connected in just three weeks after arriving at Europe’s Spaceport on the novel hybrid sail ship Canopée on 21 February.

Ariane 6 is an all-new design, created to succeed Ariane 5 as Europe's heavy-lift launch system. With Ariane 6's upper stage restart capability, Europe's launch capability will be tailored to the needs of multiple payload missions, for example to orbit satellite constellations. This autonomous capability to reach Earth orbit and deep space supports Europe's navigation, Earth observation, scientific and security programmes. Ongoing development of Europe's space transportation capabilities is made possible by the sustained dedication of thousands of talented people working in ESA's 22 Member States.