The European Space Agency (ESA) is gearing up for the mid-2024 launch of its largest rocket, the Ariane 6, with a pioneering approach to transport its components using Canopée, a wind-powered cargo ship. Canopée, a hybrid industrial vessel equipped with collapsible wing sails dubbed “Oceanwings,” has recently completed its first transatlantic voyage, delivering crucial parts of the Ariane 6 launcher to the spaceport in French Guiana.
This vessel, while currently diesel-driven, showcases a future of shipping with its design aimed at reducing fuel consumption by up to 50%. Alizés, the French company operating Canopée, anticipates an average fuel saving of 30%, with the potential for more in optimal conditions. The ship, which took six years to construct, is under a 15-year agreement to support the Ariane 6 space program with up to 12 crossings annually, marking a significant stride in sustainable space exploration logistics.
The European Space Agency is preparing to launch its latest and largest space rocket, the Ariane 6, in mid-2024. What makes this endeavor intriguing is the agency’s utilization of a wind-powered cargo ship to transport rocket components to the launch site in French Guiana.
Source: Ariane-6: Europe’s ‘Largest Rocket’ Travels On Wind-Powered Cargo Ship; Launch Planned For 2024