Updates Ariane 6 Updates

[DaveS]

And it seems like the Vinci re-ignition burn was not performed successfully as tracking shows a notable deviation from the expected trajectory. If you look trajectory chart on the right, the green path/circle is pre-launch expected trajectory, while yellow path/X is the actual trajectory as recorded by the tracking stations. So those should be one uniform shape with the X inside the circle at all times. But the chart shows the yellow path with the X tracking notably below the green expected trajectory.

The commentary is currently off the air, but should return around T+2:32:00 where they'll hopefully have more information.

 

[GLS]

That planned trajectory doesn't make sense... the vehicle doesn't just start rising like that from a circular orbit without a burn. Maybe there was a APU firing that didn't happen (properly)?

 

[GLS]

During the demonstration tests the APU shutdown prematurely during a planned firing...

 

[DaveS]

APU shut down during the second burn confirmed due to "safe guards". Looks like the de-orbit burn will not happen as the APU is required for the Vinci engine to operate. The APU provides the tank pressures required to operate the engine. So when the APU shut down, there went the propellant tank pressures and the engine shut down early due to low propellant pressures.

 

[GLS]

That seems to be it... even if they could command a firing from the ground (not sure if that is possible), it would likely not be able to hit the target reentry location.

 

[DaveS]

That seems to be it... even if they could command a firing from the ground (not sure if that is possible), it would likely not be able to hit the target reentry location.

No, uplink capabilities are usually reserved for actual spacecrafts and not launch vehicles. So, the moment they launch, they're executing an event-driven script. If any of the events does not happen, it will just continue with the previously executed event.

 

[DaveS]

And it is official:

 

[GLS]

No, uplink capabilities are usually reserved for actual spacecrafts and not launch vehicles. So, the moment they launch, they're executing an event-driven script. If any of the events does not happen, it will just continue with the previously executed event.

I know usually rockets are automatic, thus my remark "not sure if that is possible".

 

[kuddel]

Planned vs. actual trajectory / orbit-heights:

...looks like a planned orbit-raise manouver was not performed as planned - and also a planned deorbit-burn, too.

 

[GLS]

Despite this finish, it has been another debut that didn't have engineers and technicians cheering a their rocket explodes, which IMO is good.
New Glenn, you now have the stage.

 

[GLS]

Central Europe got a light show:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1810799904543084876

https://twitter.com/x/status/1810800346492506453

 

[GLS]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1810799391231594782

 

[GLS]

Press conference now:

• still don't know why the APU stopped, thus new scenario played out: no Vinci burn, passivation performed and no separation of the capsules to not create additional space junk.
• still on track for a 2º launch this year.

 

[GLS]

The restart of the APU was in microgravity, unlike the first firing which had the Vinci firing.
1-2 weeks to gather data from ground stations and analize the data.
Also saying the stage will eventually burn up in the atmosphere.... but not mentioning the 2 capsules.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1810808086770102374

 

[MaxBuzz]

Ariane 6 flies over me

 

[GLS]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1811412076197294282

https://twitter.com/x/status/1811050155203826039

 

[Piorun]

Images taken by YPSat (Young Professionals Satellite) - a device attached to the payload adapter with the objective of capturing all the key phases of Ariane 6's inaugural flight. YPSat is equipped with two SCS (Scanway Camera System) cameras mounted atop. SCS consists of 2 wide-angle cameras, electronics and mechanics interfaces, able to provide imagery in two modes: video (up to 1080p - 30 fps; 720p - 60 fps), photo (12.3 Mpix) (photo credit: ESA):

About YPSat

As newcomers to the business of space, ESA Young Professionals are confronted with high workloads and steep learning curves. But a core team of about 30 Young Professionals from various ESA Establishments, Directorates and disciplines have dedicated themselves the additional challenge of...

www.esa.int

https://twitter.com/x/status/1808092196677071243

 

[Thunder Chicken]

 

[GLS]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1894446551637840273

 

[GLS]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1896604151599227376