The fifth generation of this heavy-lift space launch vehicle - the Ariane5 - has been launched now for the last time from the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) in French Guiana.
But already since 2014, Ariane 6, a direct successor system, is in development and now ready for new missions. Within this highly sensitive and technologically incredibly wide-ranging field, Cometto has a firm role.
Rocket components on Cometto technology
The CSG (Centre Spatial Guyanais) and the CNES (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales) rely on technology by Cometto to transport rocket components to the launch area. That will be the case for the new Ariane 6 too, where two 9-axle transporters are foreseen for the vertical transport of the P120 boosters to the new ELA4 launch zone, newly created for the launch of Ariane 6.
The two vehicles are respectively equipped with two 235 kW Volvo engines and two 566 kW Scania engines and can operate in two transport configurations: one for new Vega-C and one for the new Ariane 6.
These two different configurations provide specific accelerations, no-load and laden speeds and decelerations for each of the two configurations.
Intensive training for perfect handling
The implementation of these particularly stringent requirements is another exclusive achievement of Cometto engineering. Besides quality and technological progress, service is one of the keys to success at Cometto.
A specialized Cometto service team visited CSG in French Guiana during three weeks for a detailed instruction session on the new vehicles. The teams worked perfectly together and CSG is ready for the upcoming missions.
Thank you for the hospitality and the opportunity given to Cometto to shape together the future, it was an honor!
Date of publication: 08/2023