ESA Puts Plans to Upgrade Next-Gen Ariane 6 Rocket on Hold

The European Space Agency (ESA) has decided to shelve development of the Ariane 6 upgrade model, known as 'Block 2'. The news was reported by the tech media outlet Ars Technica.

The Ariane 6 has proven its technical stability by successfully completing eight missions over two years since its inaugural launch. However, with per-launch costs ranging between 80 million and 100 million euros, a lack of cost competitiveness became the primary reason for halting the development.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher revealed that based on an annual launch rate of nine, European governments would need to provide subsidies of 32 million to 38 million euros per launch. When combined with the 3.6 billion euros already invested in development and launch site infrastructure, the actual cost per launch is confirmed to exceed 100 million euros.

ESA is currently reviewing plans to secure a capacity of 10 launches next year, gradually increasing the cadence to 12 to 20 launches annually. However, as the Ariane 6 is an expendable rocket that cannot be reused, increasing production presents the challenge of simultaneously expanding manufacturing capabilities for all components, including solid rocket motors and engines.