This photograph shows the takeoff of the European Space Agency satellite launcher Ariane 6 rocket from its launch pad, at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on July 9, 2024. Jody Amiet | AFP | Getty ImagesThe powerful European-built Ariane 6 rocket made its long-awaited liftoff on Tuesday as the region returned to a launch market dominated by Elon Musk's SpaceX. The rocket is a combined effort of about $4.5 billion overseen by the European Space Agency, or ESA, and built by ArianeGroup, an Airbus and Safran joint venture. Delayed debutThe European Space Agency satellite launcher Ariane 6 rocket is seen prior to its maiden launch at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on July 9, 2024. The European Space Agency satellite launcher Ariane 6 rocket moves to the launch pad prior to its liftoff at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, on July 9, 2024.

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Persons: Jody Amiet, Elon Musk's, Safran Organizations: European Space Agency, Guiana Space, AFP, Getty, Elon, Elon Musk's SpaceX, ESA, Airbus, Afp, Soyuz, SpaceX Locations: Kourou, French Guiana, Ukraine, Russia, Europe