PARIS The European Space Agency said it plans to set a target period for the first launch of the delayed Ariane 6 after completing a series of engine tests in early October.

In an online news conference, Director General Josef Aschbacher declined to commit to a debut in the first half of next year for Europe's new launcher, but added things were on track for a launch "not too late" in 2024.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; editing by Jason Neely)