The engine designed to power the next generation of launchers of the aerospace group passed its first ignition tests. It is equipped with a new part which was validated by hydraulic tests in Cetim’s laboratory.
In late July, the Vulcain 2.1 engine which will be used for the first flight of the new Ariane 6 launcher passed its first “production” test in Vernon (Eure, France). Watch this key event in this video available on ArianeGroup’s website.
This cryogenic engine delivers 135 metric tons of thrust in a vacuum. It will power the Ariane 6 launcher during the first eight minutes of its flight. Such an achievement was made possible by the great level of excellence of ArianeGroup’s teams allied with the experience of Cetim’s teams. As a matter of fact, in 2019, Cetim’s specialists carried out hydraulic tests on an injection head installed in the gas generator of the Vulcain 2.1 engine. This critical engine part, not visible in this video, features a complex geometry and was entirely made, for the first time, by additive manufacturing.
These tests are part of the validation process of each injection head manufactured by ArianeGroup, which intends to entrust Cetim with this task for the first Ariane 6 flights.
For more information, get in touch with our expert at sqr@cetim.fr / visit our dedicated Aerospace web page here !
