On March 21, 2024, ⁢the Ariane 6⁢ rocket successfully completed its inaugural flight,⁢ launching from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. This marks a pivotal moment for European space access, replacing the long-serving Ariane 5.The mission, designated Flight VA261, carried a test payload and demonstrated the capabilities of the new launch vehicle. The launch was ⁣initially delayed multiple times, building anticipation⁢ within the space industry. The successful flight is a critical step towards ⁢establishing self-reliant and reliable access ⁤to space for Europe.