Logbook entry #8 - The (public) space in aerospace

This Tuesday 9th of July 2024 marks the first official launch of the new European rocket Ariane 6. This is a fascinating piece of technology that I'd love to share my thoughts on:

1) The rocket is named after the fabled mythological figure of princess Ariadne. The daughter of king Minoas of Crete, she fell in love with the dashing Athenian hero Theseus. She became famous by helping Theseus navigate the labyrinth by giving him a ball of thread to retract his way... You could then say the name symbolizes the origins of Europe and finding one's way among adversity.

2) One of its features is being able to deploy its payload at different times. Meaning that it can carry multiple satellites or other equipment and place them each at their desired position. On that note, it also is designed to be completely destroyed upon re-entry to the stratosphere. Leaving behind no space junk, thus ensuring sustainable exploration of space.

3) More importantly, this marks the end of the time where the European Space Agency (ESA) is relying on private companies for its missions. It has been some time now where ESA just had to go along with whatever was offered in the market. This meant higher prices for taxpayers not redistributed via labour, lack of strategic autonomy in an era of de-globalization and unfortunately piling up even more space debris. No more.

4) They got it right the first time! One only needs to know of the 20th century space exploration programmes to know that such missions are notoriously hard to reliably work. Modern engineering methods, proper tests and some reasonable delays ensured however this glorious result!

It seems Europe is finding its way again :) Congratulations on the team!

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