Airbus, ArianeGroup sign transition batch contract for Ariane 6 launch vehicles

Airbus (Toulouse, France) and ArianeGroup SAS (Les Mureaux, France) have signed a contract for the next transition batch of Ariane 6 large carbon fiber structures. The contract includes the manufacturing and supply of large, lightweight structures for the next 14 Ariane 6 vehicle launchers, to be manufactured until 2025, and will support ArianeGroup’s ramp-up to full production rate.

Airbus builds up to four carbon fiber structures for each Ariane launcher at its Getafe site, near Madrid, Spain. The new state-of-the-art 4.0 industrial facility includes a dedicated manufacturing and assembly line for the Ariane 6 launcher structures. According to Airbus, the latest technology innovations have resulted in the delivery of strong, lightweight, single-piece structures at a lower cost. The upper and lower interface structure is reported to be the largest carbon fiber structure for space produced in Europe. The other composite structures include the launch vehicle adapter for the upper stage, and the equipped rocket upper part of each rocket booster.

“Signing this contract is a significant step forward, not only for Airbus and its launcher activities in Spain, but for the overall Ariane 6 program,” Luis Guerra, head of Space Systems in Airbus in Spain, says. “It demonstrates that Spanish participation is key to the future of Ariane 6 and what is next in space for Europe.”

“Following the signature of the exploitation contracts with Sabca, Europropulsion, Avio and MTAerospace, this contract with Airbus is a new and key step towards a strong Ariane 6 European team,” Stephane Nogatchewsky, head of procurement of ArianeGroup, notes. “While the inaugural flight of Ariane 6 is getting closer and the industrial ramp-up is intensifying, this collaboration is a positive and critical milestone for the future of Ariane 6 operations. Also, unifying European actors is paramount to ensure further Ariane 6 industrial robustness, competitiveness and preserve European autonomous access to space.”

According to Airbus, the Ariane 6 program is the only European asset that allows independent access to space for strategic missions, and the flexibility to launch both heavy and light payloads to a wide range of orbits for applications such as Earth observation, telecommunication, meteorology, science and navigation.