Launchers
In its first four variants, our Ariane put half of the world’s commercial satellites into orbit. Ariane 5 has achieved over 100 launches. And we do not stop there: the 50% Airbus subsidiary ArianeGroup, created in 2015, brings together combined technology expertise and offers innovative, highly competitive solutions for civil and military launch vehicles and space applications. The goal of ArianeGroup is to provide comprehensive, advantageous solutions in this increasingly competitive market, based on a family of versatile, high-performance, cost-competitive launchers that meet the needs of both government and commercial customers.
ArianeGroup
The creation of ArianeGroup in 2015 opened a new chapter in the history of the launcher industry: reflecting the joint ambition of Airbus and Safran to boost the European space industry to unscaled heights, this new company develops innovative and competitive solutions by uniting the strengths of two leading contributors to modern launch vehicles. In December 2014, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a contract with ArianeGroup for the development of the Ariane 6 launcher in its two versions, Ariane 62 and 64. The company is using its know-how for next-generation European launchers; Ariane 6 will be able to meet the expectations of the satellite launch market.
ArianeGroup is equally owned, combining Airbus Defence and Space’s expertise in launchers, and Safran’s expertise in liquid and solid rocket propulsion.