Europe’s big new rocket, Ariane-6, has blasted off on its maiden flight, writes BBC.

The vehicle set off from a launchpad in French Guiana at 16:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on a demonstration mission to put a clutch of satellites in orbit. Crews on the ground in Kourou applauded as the rocket - developed at a cost of EUR 4bn- soared into the sky. But after climbing smoothly to the desired altitude, and correctly releasing a number of small satellites, the upper-stage of the rocket experienced an anomaly right at the end of the flight.

Computers onboard took the decision to prematurely shut down the auxiliary power unit (APU) that pressurises the propulsion system. This left Ariane’s upper-stage unable to initiate the burn that was supposed to bring it out of orbit and also set up the final task of the mission – to jettison two re-entry capsules.

Controllers were unable to remedy the situation, but the flight was nonetheless still declared a success.

“We’re relieved; we’re excited. This is a historic moment. The inaugural launch of a new heavy-lift rocket doesn"t happen every year; it happens only every 20 years or maybe 30 years. And today we have launched Ariane-6 successfully”, said Josef Aschbacher, the director general of the European Space Agency.