Astrium Space Propulsion
Rocket engines, thrust chambers, satellite propulsion systems,
thrusters, ion propulsion, propellant tanks, valves, hot-fire testing
and more.
Ariane 5
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Astrium's Space Propulsion Division, located in Ottobrunn, Germany, is the European centre of competence for rocket engines, thrust chambers and all related technologies.
Rocket engines and thrust chambers from Ottobrunn have contributed to the success of all versions of the Ariane launcher family. Rocket engine technologies from Ottobrunn have also contributed toward the success of the world's first reusable man-rated rocket engine used on the US Space Shuttle.
Together with our related sites at Lampoldshausen,
Bremen, Friedrichshafen and Trauen, we have been specialising in
the design, development, production, integration and testing of
rocket engines and complete space propulsion systems for almost 50 years.
Together, the Ottobrunn and Lampoldshausen Centres supply all of
the flight proven propulsive means for the access, utilisation and
exploration of space. Our smallest thruster could power a model
car small enough to hold in one's hand, while the thrust chamber
of just one of our largest rocket engines could power a jumbo jet.
Thrust from Astrium Ottobrunn powers the core stage
and upper stage engines of Ariane 5. Thrust from Astrium Lampoldshausen controls
the pitch and roll of Ariane 5 during its ascent, as well as attitude
control of the Ariane 5 upper stage.
The Lampoldshausen Centre also supplies the propulsion systems
for many of the satellites and spacecraft launched by Ariane 5 and
other international launch vehicles.
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ATV
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Lampoldshausen Centre
The Lampoldshausen Centre specialises
in the design, development, manufacture, and testing of thrusters
and complete propulsion systems for orbital satellites, interplanetary
space probes, platforms, automated logistics vehicles, upper stage
AOCS systems and launch vehicle roll control systems.
Expertise is within the fields of ion, cold gas, monopropellant
hydrazine and bipropellant thrusters ranging from 0.02 N to 500
N thrust.
Hot-fire testing of rocket engines and thrusters is performed at
the Astrium Lampoldshausen
Test Centre, which is located with the ESA test facility within
the German Aerospace Centre (DLR)
Examples of the different types of spacecraft propulsion systems
developed, manufactured, tested and produced at the Lampoldshausen
Centre are featured in the Lampoldshausen
Showcase.
Amongst current responsibilities, the Lampoldshausen team are supplying
much of the propulsion system and hot-fire test services for the
Automated
Transfer Vehicle (ATV) - the first fully automated spaceship
of its kind. The ATV will be launched every 15 months to resupply
the crew of the International Space Station with equipment, fuel,
food, water and air.
Using an ES ATV version of Ariane 5, the maiden flight of the ATV,
named 'Jules Verne', is scheduled for March 2008.
Ottobrunn Centre
The Ottobrunn Centre specialises in
the design, development and manufacturing of rocket engines and
thrust chambers for launch vehicles and upper stages. Expertise
is within the fields of bipropellant and cryogenic propellant rocket
engines ranging from 500 N to 1350 kN thrust.
Vinci
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The Ottobrunn Manufacturing and Production Centre has one of the
the most modern manufacturing facilities in the world, using the
latest state of art robot, automated and CNC manufacturing processes.
These facilities are used for the manufacturing and production of
rocket engines, thrust chambers, engine nozzles, injector elements,
propellant & pressurant valves, precision aerospace components
and assemblies.
Amongst current activities, the Ottobrunn team are supplying the
thrust chamber assembly for the 'Vinci' expander cycle engine. Unlike
traditional turbopump cryogenic engines, the Vinci expander cycle
engine does not need a gas generator to drive the LOX and LH2 turbo-pumps.
Vinci is the first European re-ignitable upper stage engine and
will be used on the new Ariane 5 cryogenic upper stage, designated
ESC-B. With an Isp of 465 sec and a vacuum thrust of 18 tonnes,
Vinci will increase the performance of Ariane 5 to around 12 tonnes.
Over four decades of experience and achievement
As world leaders in space propulsion, the Ottobrunn and
Lampoldshausen sites have forged the way ahead in European space
propulsion development with such achievements as:
The first staged combustion cycle rocket engine in 1963.
The first green propellant rocket engine in 1963.
The first hydrogen rocket engine in 1966.
The first fluorine rocket engine in 1970.
The first pulsed hydrogen rocket engine in 1972.
The first hypersonic ram jet engine in 1992.
First European pulsed hydrogen engine (1972)
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The green propellant rocket engine development activities that
started in Ottobrunn in 1963, continue today. These activities are
based on a wealth of experience, advanced modelling and analytical
tools, highly efficient rocket engine technologies, the very latest
manufacturing techniques and readily available test facilities.
Heritage
A pictorial synopsis of our past heritage and future
milestones in space propulsion development is summarised in the
following 6 decades:
1960 - 1969
1970 - 1979
1980 - 1989
1990 - 1999
2000 - 2009
2010 - 2019
Summary
The reliability and performance of our liquid propellant rocket
engines, thrusters and space propulsion systems are best judged
by our customers who have entrusted us with supplying the propulsive
means for the fulfilment and accomplishment of their missions for
almost four decades. This applies not only to launch vehicle core
stage and upper stage propulsion, but also to the many hundreds
of international spacecraft and satellites in orbit that are dependant
on thrust from our two sites at Ottobrunn and Lampoldshausen.
We are able to provide thrust for any space mission or application
through the use of our rocket engines, thrust chambers, bipropellant
thrusters, monopropellant thrusters, ion engines, satellite propulsion
systems and propulsion systems for interplanetary spacecraft.
Today, our space propulsion developments continue with the future
evolution of Ariane 5, higher performing rocket engines and thrusters,
environmentally friendly propellants, alternative space propulsion,
future reusable space transportation systems, new space technologies,
new materials and new manufacturing processes and procedures.
Implementation of new technologies is supported by the Bavarian
Research Foundation. To enhance future developments, a company owned
test centre for satellite and launcher propulsion was established
in 2002.
Notable investments have also been made in production areas for
high performance machining and galvanising. Astrium has also invested
a total of Euro17.5M from its own funds into the Ottobrunn site.
This high technology location in Bavaria will thus continue to be
the centre of European propulsion systems competence in the future.
Contact
for Further Information
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If
you require more detailed information on any of our products
or services, then please contact
us, indicating your particular areas of interest or intended
application. Your enquiry will receive our best attention. |
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