The Group's leadership in solid and liquid propulsion is underlined in the Ariane 5 and Vega projects.
Avio produces the boosters, two large lateral solid‐propellant motors that deliver most of the thrust needed at take‐off, which measure 26.5m high, and burn 237 tonnes of propellant each in 130 seconds.
Each booster is constructed with three metal segments. The loading of the first segment, with about 30 tonnes of solid propellant, is carried out at the Colleferro plant (Rome), while the second and third segments are instead loaded at the Kourou base, in French Guyana, where the whole booster is then integrated with the launcher. Avio also produces the turbopump, which is one of the most critical components of the Vulcain (1 and 2), the first‐stage cryogenic motor that feeds liquid oxygen into the combustion chamber.
For Vega, Avio produces the three solid propellant motors P80, Zefiro 23 and Zefiro 9 using innovative and highly technological processes to obtain the highest performances in the sector. Among thier main paculiarities, the carbon fiber engine structures for the containment of weight produced with specific machineries - big part of which conceived by Avio - and the internal thermal protection made of a low density elatomeric based material of new conception.
Avio also produces important electronics and electrical systems for the launcher.
