Special correspondent to Kourou
It is in a vast plain taken by man from the stifling tropical vegetation that the 90 meter high
“
mobile gantry
”
stands.
This fairly monumental vertical building is one of the most visible innovations of the future Ariane 6, the inaugural firing of which is planned between June 14 and the end of July.
The window is wide but the teams at the Kourou Space Center, in Guyana, are still aiming for a mid-June launch for the moment.
On site, pressure is gradually building as Emmanuel Macron is due to visit the assembly site of the new European launcher on Tuesday.
For the moment, Ariane 6 is horizontal and will only be
“
verticalized
”
during April, directly on its launch pad.
It will then remain sheltered from the gantry mounted on wheels, which will be moved a few days before takeoff to be placed safely a good distance from the launch pad.
A whole process designed to limit costs and ultimately succeed in increasing the rate of fire.
While Emmanuel…
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