Image: ESA- S. Corvaja, image has been resized
The highly anticipated launch of Ariane 6 on 9 July 2024, from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, marks a significant milestone in European space exploration.
The event, which showcases the collaborative efforts of space agencies and industry partners, also highlights the crucial behind-the-scenes work that ensures such missions proceed smoothly. Serco, an international provider of services, played a key role in supporting the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) throughout this mission.
Serco’s team in Kourou provided indispensable support in two critical areas: public relations and communications, as well as IT services. Public relations and communications officers at ESA, Cleyciane Da Costa Maciel and Timothy Chubb, ensured that ESA’s messaging about the Ariane 6 launch was professionally delivered and effectively communicated to a global audience.
Reflecting on the mission, Chubb noted:
“It was a very exciting mission, and a lot of hard work. We are all breathing a sigh of relief after the success of the launch. Takeoff was a very emotional moment for everyone, especially as we have waited so long for this inaugural launch.”
In addition to their work in PR and communications, Serco’s IT services team provided essential support during the final countdown to launch. This phase, often a tense period, required quick responses to any issues that might arise with IT systems and servers. The team, which included Sébastien Simon, Va YA, Miguel Marville, system and network administrator at the European Space Center, and Saïd Hani, industrial technical expert at CNES, provided round-the-clock support to ensure that the IT infrastructure remained robust and fully operational. Their readiness to work outside regular hours, depending on the “H0” launch schedule, was crucial to maintaining the smooth operation of all systems, directly contributing to the mission's success.
The Ariane 6 mission represents a significant achievement for Serco’s involvement in space exploration. The next-generation European rocket is designed for increased flexibility and cost efficiency, capable of launching a wide range of payloads in two configurations. Ariane 6 is set to play a key role in maintaining Europe’s independent access to space and in ensuring the continent remains competitive in the global space industry.