Ariane 6 Launcher – Launch Base combined tests

Paper number

IAC-22,D2,2,1,x69182

Author

Mr. Olivier Bugnet, France, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)

Coauthor

Mr. Pier Domenico Resta, France, European Space Agency (ESA)

Coauthor

Mrs. Charline Dutertre, France, ESA-APT

Coauthor

Mrs. Carole Deremaux, France, ESA - APT

Coauthor

Mr. Olivier Ryckebosch, France, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)

Coauthor

Mr. François DENEU, France, ArianeGroup

Coauthor

Mr. Patrick BONGUET, France, ArianeGroup SAS

Coauthor

Mr. Frédéric Facchin, France, ArianeGroup SAS

Coauthor

Mr. Frédéric Munos, France, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)

Year

2022

Abstract

Ariane 6 has entered into its final phase toward qualification and first flight. 

An Ariane 6 launcher mock-up - composed of a central core with form and function representative of a flight specimen assembled with booster mock-ups - will be used for performing a series of tests on its Kourou real launch base in 2022. The purpose of these tests is to validate the end-to-end behavior of the Ariane 6 launch system – the launcher and the ground segment. At the time of the execution of the test, launcher and launch base will have completed their qualification activities for the on-gound life phases.

The first test sequence is the mechanical assembly of the launcher central core and is transfer to the launch pad. Integration with booster mock-ups and electrical connections with the launch complex command and control infrastructure follows until the whole launcher check-out procedures will be tested. Then tanks loading and unloading sequences are tested simulating nominal as well as degraded cases leading to a launch abort with return to safe configuration. Some sequences include Vulcain 2.1 engine ignitions. One sequence is used for a long firing test of the lower liquid propulsive module, testing the whole duration of its operational domain.

This paper will present the main results of these combined tests, last step before first Ariane 6 flight.

These tests – and this paper – are managed with ESA as combined tests principal and launch system architect, CNES as test conductor and launch base design authority, and Arianegroup as launcher system design authority and future operator.

Abstract document

IAC-22,D2,2,1,x69182.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-22,D2,2,1,x69182.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.