Hot-firing test for Ariane 6 upper stage prepares way for first launch

The Ariane 6 upper stage is an entirely new design. It has been developed and constructed by ArianeGroup as lead industrial contractor and design authority on behalf of the European Space Agency ESA. It consists of two main tanks, one filled with liquid hydrogen and one with liquid oxygen, the Vinci engine, which can be re-ignited up to four times, and the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), an innovative multifunctional unit. The APU makes Ariane 6 even more versatile. With two ignitions of the Vinci engine and two ignitions of the APU, a very complex operational profile was simulated during this hot-firing test. "During previous work and tests carried out over the past months, we have already obtained important information and data about the stage. In this test, we have now taken another important step forward. We have succeeded in recreating a flight scenario on the test stand that corresponds to the requirements of the first flight of Ariane 6," described Stefan Schlechtriem, Director of the DLR Institute of Space Propulsion. "The result is a comprehensive dataset that must now be analysed and evaluated in detail by ArianeGroup."

Ariane 6 upper stage – designed for more flexible space missions

"This new successful test represents a very important milestone on the way to the first flight of Ariane 6. This success is the result of many decades of close and trust-based cooperation between ArianeGroup and DLR at the Lampoldshausen site. During these hot firing tests, the Ariane 6 upper stage manufactured at our Bremen site, together with the associated engine technology from Ottobrunn, is put through its paces. In a second step, it will then be tested together with the core stage manufactured in France. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the teams involved and also express my gratitude for the very good cooperation with DLR," said Pierre Godart, CEO ArianeGroup GmbH.

ESA Director of Space Transportation Toni Tolker-Nielsen thanked partners at DLR and Ariane 6 prime contractor ArianeGroup, who are running the tests at Lampoldshausen: "Ariane 6 represents a dramatic increase in our launch capability, and the upper stage with its re-ignitable Vinci engine will be transformative. The results from these tests gives us great confidence in the flexibility of this launch system to satisfy all mission requirements. Together with our partners we are making significant progress, and I look forward to the next stages of our Ariane 6 journey."

Many new technologies come together in the upper stage of Ariane 6. The Vinci engine, which can be re-ignited several times, and the APU, make more flexible mission profiles possible. The upper stage is designed in such a way that it will burn up completely in Earth’s atmosphere after payload deployment, leaving nothing behind. This is an important measure to avoid creating additional space debris.