On September 19, 2013, Snecma signed an agreement with Astrium for the production of the cryogenic propulsion systems (using liquid hydrogen...
According to the terms of this contract, Astrium orders long-lead items from Snecma, along with startup of the corresponding production operations. The two companies plan to sign the complete production contract by the end of this year.
The contract provides for Snecma to deliver to Astrium 18 Vulcain®2 engines for the cryogenic main stage (EPC) and 13 HM7B cryogenic engines for the upper stage of Ariane 5 ECA launchers, and propulsion equipment for the two stages.
The agreement signed on September 19 extends the original production contract for the PB batch of launchers, signed by Astrium and Snecma in 2009, which concerned the production of engines and propulsion equipment for 35 Ariane 5 launchers.
"With this agreement, Snecma and its European partners can ensure production continuity for Ariane 5 engines beyond 2015," said David Quancard, head of the Space Engines division at Snecma (Safran).
Snecma, the prime contractor for cryogenic propulsion systems on Ariane launchers, is the European leader in this market and number 2 worldwide.
The Vulcain® 2 cryogenic rocket engine, developing thrust of about 300,000 pounds (1,340 kN), powers the cryogenic main stage of the Ariane 5 ECA launcher. Derived from the original Vulcain® main-stage engine, it was qualified in flight during the launch of Ariane 5 ECA on February 12, 2005.
Snecma’s HM7B cryogenic rocket engine, is fueled by liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. It has undergone continuous improvements over the years to increase thrust, specific impulse, burn time and reliability.
The HM7B is a particularly reliable engine, proven in service. Nearly 200 have been produced to date.
Delivering 14,300 pounds of thrust (64.8 kN), it propels Ariane 5’s upper stage for nearly 15 minutes, imparting to the satellite(s) the speed needed for injection into geostationary transfer orbit.
Entering service with the first Ariane launch in 1979, the HM7 cryogenic engine (later the HM7B) powered the third stage of all Ariane 1 to Ariane 4 launchers. On the heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA, the HM7B powers the cryogenic upper stage.
