Arianespace's Ariane 6 rocket is scheduled for a second flight on February 26, the company announced on Tuesday. The spacecraft is a European Space Agency project involving 13 countries and several hundred companies, led by ArianeGroup, a joint venture between French companies Airbus SE and Safran S.A.
Ariane 6 will be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana in the heavy-lift rocket's first commercial flight. It will place a satellite in orbit on behalf of the French military. "With this launch in support of French defense and the capability requirements of several partner nations, Arianespace will guarantee independent access to space for France and Europe, for the benefit of all our fellow citizens," Arianespace CEO David Cavailloles said.