Ariane 6 performs first commercial flight with launch of CSO-3 satellite

The first commercial flight of Ariane 6, operated by Arianespace, placed the CSO-3 Earth observation satellite in orbit for the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) and the French space agency (CNES) for the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE). CSO-3 is the third CSO (Composante Spatiale Optique – Optical Space Component) satellite launched by Arianespace, completing the CSO system. With this successful launch in support of French defense and the capability requirements of several partner nations, Arianespace guarantees independent access to space for France and Europe. On March 6, 2025 at 1:24 p.m. local time in Kourou, French Guiana (4:24 p.m. UTC, 5:24 p.m. CET), Ariane 6, the new European heavy-lift launcher operated by Arianespace, lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport carrying the CSO-3 satellite on behalf of the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) and the French space agency (CNES), for the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command (CDE). With this first co ... Read full article.