© European Space Agency
Industrial gas major Air Liquide has won two new contracts from space technology firm ArianeGroup to supply cryogenic equipment and propulsion gases for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Ariane 6 heavy launcher programme.
The agreements support the operational phase of Ariane 6 and cover equipment used in rocket manufacturing as well as gases required for propulsion.
Separately, ArianeGroup and Air Liquide Spatial Guyane have also renewed a three-year gas supply agreement for the Ariane 6 programme.
The contract covers propellants, including liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, as well as helium, nitrogen, and compressed air in both liquid and gaseous forms, for ground operations such as system inerting and satellite cooling.
Air Liquide also designed the fluid distribution systems for the ELA4 launch pad complex at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
To date, Air Liquide has supported 268 Ariane flights, including Ariane 6’s initial launch in July 2024, and will continue to support the ramp-up of Ariane 6 production.
ArianeGroup is the lead contractor for the Ariane 6 European launcher programme for the ESA, which uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its main and upper stages.
Anne Quillon, Chief Procurement Officer at ArianeGroup, described the contracts as “another important contribution to the Ariane 6 production ramp-up.”
Earlier this month, fellow gas major Air Products signed a to supply ArianeGroup with the lower-carbon gas for ground tests of cryogenic engines used to launch space missions.
