Liftoff: first Ariane 6 liftoff with P160C-based boosters

First Ariane 6 liftoff with P160C-based boosters occurred on 17 June 2026 at 09:21 local time from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The VA269 mission carried 36 satellites for Amazon's Leo constellation, the most powerful lift to date for Ariane 6. The four P160C boosters, each housing 156 tonnes of propellant, are 14.5 meters tall and add capacity over the prior P120C design. The upgrade boosts payload capacity and competitiveness for Europe’s flagship launcher, underscoring multilateral collaboration at the Spaceport. The boosters enable more satellites per mission, reinforcing Europe’s access to space as Ariane 6 builds momentum in a changing launch market.