Swedish Technology Crucial to Successful First Flight of Ariane 64 Rocket

The Ariane 64 rocket, the heaviest and most powerful version of the new European Ariane 6 family, launched successfully on February 12, 2026, from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This milestone flight marked a significant advancement in European space capability, deploying 32 satellites for Amazon’s Leo constellation intended to provide high-performance broadband internet worldwide, particularly in underserved regions.

Swedish companies played an essential role in this mission’s success. Beyond Gravity, based in Linköping, supplied the high-precision dispenser system responsible for the accurate deployment of the satellites — their technology was used for the first time on an Ariane 6 launch vehicle. Beyond Gravity also provided a new payload fairing for the rocket. Meanwhile, GKN Aerospace in Trollhättan contributed by developing turbines and nozzles for the Vulcain 2.1 engine, employing an innovative "sandwich method" specifically designed for Ariane 6. These turbines can generate up to 14 megawatts and reach rotational speeds between 15,000 and 40,000 RPM.

The Ariane 64 features four boosters, nearly doubling the payload capacity of earlier models to approximately 20 tons to low Earth orbit and 11.5 tons to geostationary orbit. This makes it the largest and most capable configuration of the Ariane 6 family, designed to support diverse missions. The current launch is part of Amazon's planned series of 18 launches between 2026 and 2029, aiming to create a satellite megaconstellation exceeding 3,000 satellites across various orbits.

David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, highlighted the flight's importance as a milestone for Europe's space sector. Beyond Gravity and GKN Aerospace emphasized that Sweden’s technological contributions are vital in advancing Europe’s access and competitiveness in space.

This successful deployment underscores the growing significance of Swedish aerospace technology in Europe's ambitious space agenda and showcases indigenous industrial innovation contributing to complex space systems.