December 2, 2014
Ariane 6
Ariane 6, in its 2 variants, the A62 and the A64, will meet market demand for the launch of medium-class satellites (up to 5 t) and heavy satellites (up to 10.5 t) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The inaugural flight of the new launch vehicle is planned for 2020 from the Guiana Space Centre.
Architecture of Ariane 6
Payload fairing
Protects the satellite(s) during flight
Upper stage
Cryogenic propulsion (30 t of liquid oxygen and hydrogen)
New Vinci engine: 180 kN of thrust
Main stage
Cryogenic propulsion (140 t of liquid oxygen and hydrogen)
Vulcain 2+ engine: 1,350 kN of thrust
Boosters
Solid propulsion (120 t of propellant per booster)
A62 configuration: 2 boosters
A64 configuration: 4 boosters
Up to 3,500 kN of thrust
Credits: CNES.
At the same time, an upgrade of the Vega small launcher, known as Vega C, also fitted with a P120 booster, will be available from 2018 to launch small payloads. Europe's family of launch vehicles will thus offer competitive solutions for both the European institutional market and the global commercial market.
Ariane 6 flight movie (synthetic images)
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