Author Topic: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates  (Read 340816 times)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #240 on: 05/24/2018 08:49 pm »

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #241 on: 06/17/2018 07:34 pm »
https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/First_hot_firing_of_next-generation_rocket_engine

First hot firing of next-generation rocket engine

Quote
15 June 2018

Yesterday’s complex hot fire test of an engine technology demonstrator, was the first in a series of planned tests guiding Europe’s next-generation upper-stage rocket engine design.

By the end of the year, the Expander-cycle Technology Integrated Demonstrator, or ETID, based at the DLR German Aerospace Center test facility in Lampoldshausen, will be ignited 20 times with each firing lasting up to 120 seconds on a test stand that provides a near-vacuum environment similar to space.

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Following four rounds of tests the configuration will be changed for further tests with different igniters and different hardware designs and materials. The aim is to bring them all to a technology readiness high enough to transfer them at minimum cost and risk to any subsequent development project for flight.

The results will validate the engine concept and analysis tools used, as well as identifying opportunities for even lighter designs.

ETID is a precursor of the next generation of 10-tonne rocket engines. Its results also have relevance for the in-development Vinci engine, which powers the upper stage of Ariane 6

Credits: ESA and DLR / ArianeGroup

Offline gongora

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« Last Edit: 06/21/2018 04:31 pm by gongora »

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #243 on: 06/24/2018 07:26 pm »
P120C rocket motor transfer to test stand at Europe's Spaceport

Fully loaded with solid fuel, the P120C rocket motor common to Europe’s future launchers Vega-C and Ariane 6 was moved from the integration building and transferred to the test stand at the beginning of June 2018, to prepare for its first hot firing at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The P120C is 13.5 m long and 3.4 m in diameter, contains 142 tonnes of solid propellant and is the largest-ever solid rocket motor built in one piece.

https://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/06/P120C_rocket_motor_transfer_to_test_stand_at_Europe_s_Spaceport2

Image credit: CNES

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #244 on: 06/26/2018 01:41 pm »
New Ariane 6 website:

http://ariane6.esa.int/

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #245 on: 07/02/2018 06:11 pm »


« Last Edit: 07/02/2018 06:12 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline jacqmans

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #246 on: 07/06/2018 01:19 pm »
Test stand ready for P120C static firing

The propulsion test stand (BEAP) has been prepared for the P120C solid rocket development motor for a static firing test in July 2018.

The P120C, designed as boosters on Ariane 6 and as the first stage for Vega-C, is the largest single-unit, carbon-fibre solid-propellant motor ever built.

Its development relies on innovative technologies derived from the P80, Vega’s current first stage motor.

 
Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #247 on: 07/06/2018 01:22 pm »
ELA-4 construction site

The ELA-4 launch zone at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana is currently undergoing reconstruction in preparation for Europe’s Ariane 6 launch vehicle.

ESA and European industry are currently developing a new-generation launcher: Ariane 6. This follows the decision taken at the ESA Council meeting at Ministerial level in December 2014, to maintain Europe’s leadership in the fast-changing commercial launch service market while responding to the needs of European institutional missions.

The overarching aim of Ariane 6 is to provide guaranteed access to space for Europe at a competitive price without requiring public sector support for exploitation.

The targeted payload performance of Ariane 6 is over 4.5 t for polar/Sun-synchronous orbit missions at 800 km altitude and the injection of two first-generation Galileo satellites. Ariane 6 can loft a payload mass of 4.5–10.5 tonnes in equivalent geostationary transfer orbit.

The exploitation cost of the Ariane 6 launch system is its key driver. Launch service costs will be halved, while maintaining reliability by reusing the trusted engines of Ariane 5. The first flight is scheduled for 2020.

 
Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja
Jacques :-)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #248 on: 07/06/2018 01:24 pm »
Ariane 6 Launcher Assembly Building

The ELA-4 launch zone at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana is currently undergoing reconstruction in preparation for Europe’s Ariane 6 launch vehicle.

In this image you see the Launcher Assembly Building (BAL) which is 20 m tall, 112 m long and 41 m wide, located some 1 km away from the launch zone. It is used for launch vehicle horizontal integration and preparation before rollout to the launch zone.

 
Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja
Jacques :-)

Offline SgtPoivre

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #249 on: 07/12/2018 02:04 pm »
Test stand ready for P120C static firing

The propulsion test stand (BEAP) has been prepared for the P120C solid rocket development motor for a static firing test in July 2018.

The P120C, designed as boosters on Ariane 6 and as the first stage for Vega-C, is the largest single-unit, carbon-fibre solid-propellant motor ever built.

Its development relies on innovative technologies derived from the P80, Vega’s current first stage motor.

 
Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja
Does anyone know if there will be a live streaming of this test ? On ESA website for example?
« Last Edit: 07/12/2018 02:04 pm by SgtPoivre »

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Offline Rik ISS-fan

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #251 on: 07/16/2018 04:23 pm »
While we wait for fotage of the P120c static firing test; another video for distraction.

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #252 on: 07/16/2018 05:05 pm »
SUCCESSFUL FIRST TEST FIRING FOR THE P120C SOLID ROCKET MOTOR FOR ARIANE 6 AND VEGA-C
 
Kourou, 16 July 2018

• A successful test firing of 135 seconds conducted on the BEAP test bench in Kourou, French Guiana
• P120C – the largest monolithic carbon-fiber solid rocket motor (SRM) in the world – is loaded with 142 tons of propellant
• P120C will equip the boosters of both Ariane 62 and Ariane 64 and the Vega-C first stage ; 35 motors to be produced annually

The P120C was successfully tested on 13 July in Kourou, French Guiana, on the BEAP test bench for solid rocket motors, operated by the French space agency CNES. This successful test of the first P120C ever produced is a major step in the development of the future European launchers, Ariane 6 and Vega-C. The P120C, co-developed by ArianeGroup and Avio, on behalf of their 50/50 joint venture Europropulsion, is the world’s largest monolithic carbon fiber SRM. The program for the development of Ariane 6 and Vega-C was decided on at the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council in 2014.

Two further test stand firings will follow to qualify this motor before the first flight of Vega-C in 2019 and that of Ariane 6 in 2020.

With major investments required for producing solid-propellant motors, the P120C is a perfect example of rationalization, since it will equip both Ariane 6 (in both its two-booster Ariane 62 and its four-booster Ariane 64 versions) and the first stage of Vega-C. This will allow up to 35 motors to be produced every year, making optimal use of industrial infrastructures on the European continent and in French Guiana, thus meeting the goals of the Ariane 6 and Vega-C programs: optimized costs, shorter cycles owing to a simplified design, and the application of innovative technologies and processes.

The P120C consists of two principal parts. The first is the structural casing, built by Avio and made of carbon fiber (filament-wound, automated fabric layup pre-impregnated epoxy sheets). The second part is the nozzle, built by ArianeGroup and made of various composite materials, including carbon/carbon; it allows very high speed ejection of the extremely hot gases (3,000°C) generated by the motor, thus creating thrust by transforming the combustion gas energy into kinetic energy. The latter can also pivot, which enables the launcher to be piloted.

The P120C in figures:

• Motor length: 13.5 m Average thrust: 4,500 kN
• Diameter: 3.4 m Specific impulse: 278.5 s
• Propellant mass: 142 t Combustion time: 135 s
• Motor dry mass: 11t
• Motor case mass: 8.3 t

http://www.avio.com/en/press-release/successful-first-test-firing-for-the-p120c-solid-rocket-motor-for-ariane-6-and-vega-c/

Offline bolun

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #253 on: 07/16/2018 05:17 pm »

Online catdlr

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #254 on: 07/16/2018 08:24 pm »
P120C Firing Test

AvioGroup
Published on Jul 16, 2018

The P120C solid rocket motor was successfully tested on the bench test at the European spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana). This successful test is a major step in the development of the future European launchers, Ariane 6 and Vega-C. Avio played a fundamental role in developing the P120C, the world’s largest monolithic carbon fiber solid rocket motor, by manufacturing it at its own site in Colleferro (Rome).



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Offline calapine

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #255 on: 07/25/2018 11:25 pm »
A new video animation by Arianegroup, mostly showcasing the Vinci's capabilities for constellations and deployment to different inclinations:




Update on Ariane 6 in French, focusing mostly on the changes to CSG:



What was new for me is the claim that building climatisation was the single biggest cost factor at the CSG. Thus the benefit of horizontal integration leading to therefor smaller building volume.
« Last Edit: 07/25/2018 11:27 pm by calapine »

Offline starbase

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #256 on: 07/26/2018 02:11 pm »
Arianespace launchers will get an autonomous range safety system, named Kassav. It will be first tested on Ariane 5 in late 2019 (Kassav 1) and incorporated into Ariane 6 and Vega C from the beginning, reaching maturity (Kassav 2) by 2021.

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LYON, France—French space agency CNES has tapped Zodiac Data Systems for the development of an autonomous range safety system at Arianespace’s Kourou, French Guiana launch site, thus making the destruction of an off-course launcher an automated process.

Thus far, the termination of a flight—thanks to onboard explosives—has been decided by the leader of a team of four on the ground. The new system, dubbed Kassav, will be on board the launcher. It will use an inertial measurement unit (IMU), combined with dual Galileo and GPS positioning.

Such a hybrid arrangement provides enough precision and is cheaper than a dual IMU, Jean-Marie Astorg, CNES’ head of launchers, explains to Aerospace DAILY. Kassav will be independent from the rest of the rocket, having its own battery and radio connections.

In its first phase, Kassav 1, the new system will be limited to launcher tracking. It is planned to be inaugurated in late 2019 on a heavy-lift Ariane 5. It also will be part of the Callisto reusable demonstrator in 2020.

The full-capability Kassav 2 is scheduled to be used on an Ariane 5 or Ariane 6 in 2021, Astorg says. Kassav also will be integrated onto the Vega C light launcher.

CNES is expecting greater safety and reduced costs. Eventually, the agency will dispose of the three radars currently used for launcher tracking. The current organization involves a long reconfiguration between two flights. Being autonomous, the new system is expected to help cut the interval to three days, from 11.

As the operator of the Guiana Space Center, CNES is responsible “on behalf of the French government, for the safety of people and property on each launch from the base,” CNES’ website reads. The decision not to terminate Ariane 5 flight VA241 when it lifted off on a wrong trajectory in January sparked a debate in French Guiana and the European space industry. CNES has been working for an automated system for years, Astorg says.

Source: https://twitter.com/AviationWeek/status/1022421592884830209
http://aviationweek.com/space/arianespace-launchers-get-autonomous-range-safety-system
« Last Edit: 07/26/2018 02:14 pm by starbase »
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Offline Aurora

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #257 on: 07/31/2018 08:16 pm »
Question:  Would this new Kassav automated termination system have terminated the AV241 flight in January?

Offline woods170

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #258 on: 08/01/2018 04:10 pm »
Question:  Would this new Kassav automated termination system have terminated the AV241 flight in January?
No. The red box for Kassav is larger than the current one.
Also, Kassav is taking into account vehicle "health".

Offline calapine

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Re: ESA - Ariane 6 Updates
« Reply #259 on: 08/03/2018 10:51 pm »
As Addendum to the previous posts:

Kassav stands for Kit Autonome de Sécurité pour la SAuvegarde en Vol

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