Europe 'back in space' despite Ariane 6 debut glitch

Europe's Ariane 6 rocket takes off, in Kourou

PARIS (Reuters) -Space bosses hailed Europe's return to space after the Ariane 6 rocket successfully carried out a series of trials in a debut flight on Tuesday, but the mission ended with the launcher coasting in orbit without releasing its final batch of payloads. 

Watched by a Rafale fighter jet, Europe's newest uncrewed rocket blasted off from French Guiana around 4 p.m. local time (1900 GMT), restoring the continent's independent access to space after delays, political setbacks and debates over funding. 

Although not a commercial mission, the flight deployed three sets of micro-satellites for research purposes, prompting European space officials to declare the maiden trip a success.

Full story at Yahoo News.

 By Tim Hepher and Joey Roulette.