The first stage features a Vulcain 2.1 motor — an improved version of the Vulcain 2 engine that flew on Ariane 5. The second stage on the other hand has a newly-designed Vinci engine ...

At the time of that launch, Arianespace had planned to conduct the second Ariane 6 before the end of the year after diagnosing the issue that prevented the upper stage from deorbiting. In November ...

Since the retirement of the workhorse Ariane 5 in 2023, Europe has had little independent ... carrying out a series of trials but leaving its upper stage in orbit after a software glitch.