Europe's new heavy-lift rocket, Ariane 6, made its maiden flight on July 9, 2024, marking a significant milestone for the European Space Agency (ESA).

The launch from Kourou, French Guiana, was largely successful, with the rocket performing well during its initial stages.

However, a late-stage anomaly prevented the upper stage from de-orbiting as planned, leaving it as space debris.

Despite this setback, ESA officials celebrated the launch as a crucial step in securing Europe's independent access to space.

The Ariane 6 project, which faced numerous delays, aims to compete with SpaceX's partially reusable Falcon rockets.

While the launch demonstrates Europe's renewed capabilities in space, questions remain about the rocket's long-term competitiveness in the rapidly evolving launch market.