The European Space Agency plans to use carbon fiber composites to reduce the weight of the upper part of the launch vehicle

Recently, the European Space Agency and Ariane group (Paris), the main contractor and design organization of Ariane 6 launch vehicle, signed a new technology development contract to explore the use of carbon fiber composite materials to realize the lightweight of the upper stage of Ariane 6 launch vehicle.

The goal is part of the Phoebus (highly optimized black superior prototype) program, which Ariane group reports will significantly reduce superior manufacturing costs and improve the maturity of lightweight technologies.

According to Ariane group, the continuous improvement of ariana-6 launcher, including the use of composite technology, is key to further enhancing its competitiveness. Mtaerospace (Augsburg, Germany) will work with Ariane group to design and test Phoebus superior cryogenic composite tank technology prototype. This cooperation started in May 2019, and the initial A / B1 phase design contract will continue under the European space agency contract.

"One of the main challenges now is to ensure the tightness and robustness of the composites to cope with extremely low temperature and highly permeable liquid hydrogen," said Pierre God art, chief executive of Ariane group This new contract demonstrates the confidence of the European Space Agency and the German space agency, our team and our partner, mtaerospace, with whom we have worked for a long time, especially in the metal parts of Ariana 6. We will continue to work together to put Germany and Europe at the forefront of cryogenic composite technology for liquid hydrogen and oxygen storage. "

To demonstrate the maturity of all necessary technologies, Ariane group said it would contribute its know-how in launch level technology and system integration, while MT Aerospace would be responsible for materials and technologies used in composite storage tanks and structures at low temperatures.

The technology developed under the contract will be integrated into a superior demonstrator from 2023 to demonstrate the large-scale compatibility of the system with liquid oxygen hydrogen mixture. Ariane group said its ultimate goal with Phoebus is to pave the way for further Ariana level 6 development and to introduce cryogenic composite storage tank technology for aviation.