European Space Agency (ESA) General Director Josef Aschbacher speaks during the ESA Council at Ministerial level (CM22) at the Grand Palais Ephemere in Paris, France, November 23, 2022. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File photo
Europe
European Space Agency gears up for Ariane 6 launch
The European Space Agency said it plans to set a target period for the first launch of the delayed Ariane 6 after completing a series of engine tests in early October.
PARIS (Reuters) - The European Space Agency said it plans to set a target period for the first launch of the delayed Ariane 6 after completing a series of engine tests in early October.
In an online news conference, Director General Josef Aschbacher declined to commit to a debut in the first half of next year for Europe's new launcher, but added things were on track for a launch "not too late" in 2024.
(Reporting by Tim Hepher; editing by Jason Neely)