ArianeGroup
Key technology:
Prime contractor
Launch vehicles
Propulsion systems
Company summary:
ArianeGroup is a world leader in space launchers whose mission it is to contribute to European autonomous access to space.
We design and create innovative and competitive launch systems, offering civil and military space solutions for our institutional, commercial and industrial customers. We are expert in cutting-edge technologies, from complete propulsion systems right down to the items of equipment and materials. We leverage this unique know-how to the benefit of our institutional and commercial customers.
Beyond space, we are also active defense, energy, and other industrial sectors.
Technology/expertise for ENLIGHTEN project:
ArianeGroup is the most important actor in Europe in the field of space launchers, having successfully designed and built the Ariane series of rockets currently acknowledged as the most reliable heavy launchers on the market, used in high-profile missions (i.e. James Webb Space Telescope). Ariane launchers rely on ArianeGroup’s liquid Oxygen / liquid Hydrogen engines:
- Vulcain for High Thrust and first stage propulsion
- Vinci for propulsion in orbit
Since 2016, ArianeGroup is pushing the boundaries of reusable, throttleable, high-thrust LOX-methane engines thanks to ESA’s Prometheus programme. ArianeGroup’s contribution in Enlighten include the management of the consortium and system & requirement engineering of future and greener High-thrust engine. Moreover, as a technical partner, it will bring its expertise and know-how as a designer and an integrator to push the development of new subsystems such as Equipped integrated lines and laser multiplexing ignition systems. Thanks to the complementarity of its development teams based in Vernon ( France) for overall design of the engine, in Ottobrunn (Germany) for technologies linked to thrust chamber, and in APP based in the Netherlands for ignition systems, Arianegroup provides the necessary skills to progress towards these European technological breakthrough to foster competitiveness of space industry.
