Introduction In recent years, the spread of dengue fever has become a significant public health concern worldwide. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not exempt from this mosquito-borne disease, with an increasing number of cases reported each year. To address this issue, the King Saud Medical City (KSAMC) is stepping up its efforts by finalizing a comprehensive program to combat dengue. This article will explore the steps being taken by KSAMC and the impact they hope to achieve in fighting this disease. The Challenge of Dengue Fever Dengue fever is caused by the dengue virus, which is primarily transmitted through the bite of the Aedes mosquito. The symptoms can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever, which can be fatal. With no specific treatment available, prevention and control are crucial to reducing the impact of dengue. KSAMC's Approach to Combat Dengue The King Saud Medical City has recognized the importance of a multi-faceted approach to c...
ESA has once again postponed the test firing of the central stage of Ariane 6. A few weeks ago the head of the European Space Agency confirmed that the debut launch of the new European launcher would not take place at the end of the year, but postponed to 2024.
Yet another postponement for the Ariane 6, the new European heavy launcher necessary for access to the space of the Old Continent after the withdrawal of Ariane 5 and the temporary grounding of Vega C.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that the ignition of the Vulcain 2.1 engine in the Ariane 6 core stage at the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana has been postponed again.
In an August 30 update, ESA explained that it had postponed the August 29 test of Ariane 6's main stage due to what the agency described as a "technical issue affecting the control desk." which handles the propellant loading and automated countdown, Spacenews reports .
That test, which will fire up the Vulcain 2.1 engine for several seconds, is now rescheduled for September 5th. A longer test remains scheduled for September 26, also at the Kourou spaceport.
As Politico recalls, ESA had wanted the heavy launch system to be ready for use this year, with full commercial operations starting in 2024. But the program has suffered significant delays in recent years. The first launch of the rocket was scheduled for 2020.
Without Ariane 6, and with the withdrawal of Ariane 5, the Falcon 9 of the US SpaceX is the only viable alternative for ESA to transport satellites into orbit including the launch of 4 Galileo satellites.
All the details.
INAUGURAL LAUNCH POSTPONED TO 2024
In early August, ESA acknowledged that the maiden launch of Ariane 6 had now been postponed to 2024, but did not provide a more specific date.
"After this series of tests we plan to confirm a launch date for Ariane 6," ESA director general Josef Aschbacher told Reuters . Asked whether it was correct that plans for a test launch later this year were now out of reach, Aschbacher told Reuters : "It is correct to say yes."
However, ESA will hold a press briefing on 4 September to update on the latest tests and other preparations for the first launch.
IN THE MEANTIME, ESA STILL RELYES ON SPACEX'S FALCON 9
So Europe still needs the American SpaceX, Elon Musk's aerospace company, to access space.
Already last October, ESA announced that it was moving two scientific missions to SpaceX's Falcon 9.
One has already left. On 1 July , Euclid, the ESA cosmological mission conceived with the aim of exploring the evolution of the dark Universe, successfully took off . The launch took place from Cape Canaveral in Florida (USA) aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
Aschbacher lauded SpaceX for its job in sending off Euclid. " SpaceX has provided this launch service in a very professional, proactive, and speedy manner.
And I'm very happy now that this has been successfully conducted."
And now the Hera probe's next mission will be launched on a Falcon 9 in October 2024 (originally planned with Ariane 6).
But relying on Elon Musk's rocket company undermines the EU executive's insistence on building strategic autonomy, Politico notes , adding that "SpaceX's partially reusable rocket technology also gives it a competitive edge over Ariane 6 before still that the system produced in Europe is ready.
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