The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for the first flight of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. This is stated in the message of the international organization.

The launch is scheduled for 21:00 Kyiv time and is to be performed from a spaceport in French Guiana.

“This is a big moment for Europe, as the rocket will ensure our guaranteed, autonomous access to space – and all of the science, Earth observation, technology development and commercial possibilities that it entails,” ESA said in a statement.

The rocket launch will be available to watch live. It will be broadcast in several languages, including English.

Conceptual development of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle as a replacement for Ariane 5 began in 2010. Development of the test model began a few years later in 2016. In 2019, the exact date of the first launch was announced, it was to take place on July 16, 2020.

However, the first launch of Ariane 6 has been postponed several times and has not yet been completed.