Upper stage successfully reignites and satellites deploy

After a ‘coasting’ phase lasting 35 minutes – i.e. a period without thrust from the main Vinci engine – the engine fired up again for the second time. With this Ariane 6’s newest feature, its reignitable upper stage, proved its ability to re-shape the rocket’s orbit, maximising the increase in its velocity.

This second Vinci boost circularised Ariane 6’s orbit at 580 km, ready to release its eight satellite missions into space around Earth. Robusta-3A, Replicator, Curium One, GRBBeta, CURIE, ISTSat-1, 3Cat-4 and OOV-Cube were all successfully deployed into orbit.

The commands were also sent to activate the five onboard experiments, many of which have already sent impressive data home. YPSat, the onboard experiment from ESA’s Young Professionals network, produced spectacular images and videos from fairing separation to satellite deployment.