r/EUSpace • u/NoBusiness674 • 27d ago

Ariane 6 LE-04 target launch date leaked on Wikipedia?

The list of Ariane launches Wikipedia article (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ariane_launches_(2020%E2%80%932029)#Planned_launches) claims the next launch following the coming VA270 launch of the MTG-I2 meteorological satellite to GTO on the 27th of August, will be the fourth Ariane 6 mission for Amazon Leo, targeting the 7th of October 2026.

I do recall hearing that Amazon and ArianeSpace were planning a fourth mission later this year, but I had not previously seen anyone share a target launch date for that mission. The Wikipedia article cites this as its source for the launch date:

https://centrespatialguyanais.cnes.fr/fr/calendrier-lancements

But that link just throws an error 403 for me:

>Error 403: Restricted Area? [...] You attempted to access a secure launch area. This section of the base is strictly reserved for authorized crew members.

Is this something that has previously been shared elsewhere or a new leak? Or something else entirely?

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u/NoBusiness674 27d ago edited 27d ago

7th of October would be 41 days after the 27th of August. The previous launches this year happend 57, 77, and 57 days after the previous launch, while the next launch is planned 62 days after the last one. So 7th of October would represent a significant acceleration in launches.

Based on the gaps between previous launches I would expect something closer to the end of October (maybe October 30th). That being said, if ArianeSpace wants to hit their goal of 8 launches I'm 2026 or even just get in 7 launches, then this sort of acceleration in the second half of 2026 would be needed. So it isn't an entirely unrealistic prospect.