HAS a few days apart, the rocket Ariane 6, whose first flight will be in 2024, dedicated to combined testing Guiana Space Center as well as the second test stage installed in Germany have both passed important milestones. What reassure the teams and progress more serenely towards a first flight.
The objective is simple: start slowly, but without failure.
A success in Germany…
The start of the school year has been a success for the teams from ArianeGroup, CNES and the German space agency who have taken part in the tests on the various major components of Ariane 6 in recent days.
First last Friday, the upper floor (called the ULPM) was set on fire in Lampoldshausen, Germany. The latter simulated the conditions of an orbital flight, with its Vinci engine in operation for more than 11 minutes (680 seconds), ignited twice with the successful use of its unique auxiliary in the world, the APU. A complex element which however proved its effectiveness with this complete test: if it was an orbital flight, everything would have gone well! This was also the objective of this test, to minimize the risks for the commissioning of the launcher. Another fire test is planned in Germany in the next few weeks, this time simulating operations in degraded conditions.
And another in Guyana!
Besides this success with the ULPM, the other good news came from the Center Spatial Guyanais. After another week of lag (a launch site is a material that must sometimes be tested in real conditions to identify errors), the teams succeeded this Tuesday, September 5th in a complete simulation of countdown with firing. The Vulcain 2.1 main engine ramped up and was ignited for 4 seconds, a first for this launch site!
The fourth attempt was therefore the good one after the tests of July 13 and then July 18 and that of August 30. But this success is also a very good sign, because the combined tests are well intended to highlight the problems and correct them: if the firing took place, it is because the ground installations such as the launcher behaved as expected. The director of CNES, Philippe Baptiste, recalled that ” This Ariane 6 full-fire test was essential to reduce the risk of hazards as much as possible during the final launch sequence and to achieve its success. Qualify, step by step, all the operations leading to take-off: it is a rigorously orchestrated ballet between CNES, ArianeGroup, and ESA”
Encouraging results
Now, there is no question of resting on these laurels. The most difficult test for Ariane 6 and its teams is scheduled for October 3, with a countdown again. This time, the main stage will be on for a duration representative of its orbital flight, lasting 470 seconds (almost 8 minutes). Enough to put all the equipment to the test! ESA in particular is waiting for this last crucial test to announce the date of Ariane 6’s maiden flight. Each success brings us closer to it, even if we have to wait until 2024.
Source : SpaceNews
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