90 minutes until the maiden launch of Ariane 6
90 minutes until the maiden launch of Ariane 6
Launch window opens at: 2024-07-09 19:00 UTC
Launch thread has been posted over at !esa@feddit.nl:
Ariane 6 Demo Flight Launch Thread! (ESA Rideshares)
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Wooo, watched it. Pretty shocked how quickly that huge thing went off the launch pad.
They fire the engines several seconds before T-0 and it's ready to jump off the pad at full thrust as soon as the clamps release. Soyuz does the same.
Also solid fuel boosters don't know any word other than GO once lit.
Did they change their procedure? AFAIK Ariane 5 had their ignition on zero (in contrast to US launches who famously had their liftoff at zero)...
Main engine start begins at T-4 and it's spooled up by T-2. The boosters light right at T-0 since they're immediately at full thrust which may be what you're seeing.