Europe's Next-Generation Launch System Takes Flight Amid Growing Competition
Ariane 6 successfully launched two Galileo satellites from Kourou on December 17, 2025, marking another step in the gradual buildup of Europe’s next-generation launch system. Manufactured by OHB System AG, each satellite weighs approximately 700 kg at launch and is designed for an operational lifetime of 12 years. The mission was Arianespace’s seventh launch of 2025 and carried a total payload mass of around 1.6 tons. With the VA266 mission completed, attention now turns to sustaining Ariane 6’s launch cadence in 2026.