Exterior view of the test rig P5
Exterior view of the test rig P5
Ariane 5 Research and Technology Accompaniment (ARTA) tests for the Vulcain-2 engines of Ariane 5 were carried out at the P5 test rig of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Lampoldshausen. From 1999 until 2004 this was the scene for development tests to improve the Vulcain-2 engine. The new first stage of the future European Ariane 6 launcher will also be equipped with a new engine, the Vulcain-2.1. This will be a further development from the Vulcain-2 engine of the Ariane 5 with, among other things, a newly developed sandwich nozzle. For the development and qualification tests of the Vulcain 2.1, which are planned from 2017, the DLR P5 test rig is currently being adapted to the new requirements.
