\tEnabling & Support<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t21\/10\/2025
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAriane 6: made in Belgium<\/a><\/p>\n A founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA), Belgium’s influence extends far beyond its borders. In Redu, the European Space Safety and Education Centre (ESEC) hosts an ESTRACK ground station of approximately twenty antennas enabling ESA to track and communicate with satellites. ESEC also houses the control centre for daring technology demonstration missions such as Proba-3, the world\u2019s first precision formation flying mission. Belgium is also a valuable contributor to Ariane 6, representing a 3.8% share of the whole programme.<\/p>\n SABCA, Safran Aero Boosters, Thales Alenia Space SPACEBEL, Beblue and\u00a0Equans Belux\u00a0are all Belgium-based companies providing essential elements for ESA\u2019s heavy-lift rocket, allowing it to stay on track, launch safely and keep propellant secure.<\/p>\n This series of articles is looking at the parts and components needed to assemble the Ariane 6 rocket \u2013 supplied by companies from the 13 ESA Member States participating to the Ariane 6 programme. Together they contribute the best of their know-how to build Europe’s heavy-lift launcher under the guidance of main contractor ArianeGroup who also designed the Ariane 6 rocket.<\/p>\n \tSABCA \u2013 keeping rockets on track<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tConnecting Ariane 6 central stages<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SABCA makes sure rockets stay on the right path by building the Thrust Vector Control systems for the upper, core stage and booster engines of Ariane 6.<\/p>\n The Belgium-based company provides the system that keeps launchers on course by directing the rocket exhaust in the right direction.<\/p>\n The Thrust Vector Control systems are housed inside the structure that connect the central stages of the Ariane 6 rocket.\u00a0<\/p>\n \tSafran Aero Boosters \u2013 leaving no propellant behind<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tAriane 6 core stage verticalisation for VA265<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Safran Aero Boosters supplies chamber valves for both Ariane 6 engines.\u00a0The chamber valves inside the Vinci engine that powers the Ariane 6 upper stage, control the hydrogen and oxygen supply to the engine\u2019s combustion chamber.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lower down the rocket Safran also supplies the Vulcain 2.1 chamber valves that are part of the Ariane 6 main engine and provide a very tight seal when closed and a smooth flow when open \u2013 operating at temperatures just 20 degrees above the coldest possible temperature in the Universe (-273\u00b0C), while stopping the smallest molecule in the Universe, hydrogen, from passing when needed.<\/p>\n \tThales Alenia Space \u2013 a major and long-standing partner<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tAriane 6 VA263 liftoff<\/a><\/p>\n Since the early 1970s, Thales Alenia Space in Belgium has developed and manufactured over two thousand pieces of equipment for European launchers, including equipment for all Ariane rockets.<\/p>\n The company is responsible for Ariane 6\u2019s range safeguard system. The system initiates the explode command, ensuring the launcher will not endanger people or property if ever it veers off course. The electronics at the heart of this system are designed and built by Thales Alenia Space in Belgium. Hopefully, Ariane 6\u2019s range safeguard system will never be used, but it must exist.<\/p>\n Thales Alenia Space in Belgium is also responsible for the electronic equipment for the power supply and control of each stage\u2019s Ariane 6 thrusters through its relationship with SABCA.<\/p>\n \tSPACEBEL \u2013 translating rocket lingo<\/p>\n PrestoPlot<\/a>, an analysis tool developed by SPACEBEL for and with France\u2019s space agency CNES, helps analyse Ariane 6\u2019s telemetry parameters in real time. Telemetry \u2013 sending and reading commands and data from a distance \u2013 is the only way to communicate with the rocket from ground control. The interactive plotting tool helps visualise large volumes of data, including measurements, commands, alarms and messages of any kind.<\/p>\n Try it out for yourself<\/a> if you want, because why not, it\u2019s free.<\/p>\n \tBeBlue \u2013 for more sustainable hydrogen<\/p>\n