Ariane 6: made in Switzerland

Ariane 6 is Europe’s flagship heavy-lift rocket. Modular, versatile and powerful, it was made possible by companies, institutions and countless individuals around Europe working together with expertise and dedication.

As one of ESA’s founding members, Switzerland has been an important player in the space sector for decades. Swiss technology is ubiquitous both on and beyond Earth – during the Moon landing, the Apollo 11 crew wore Swiss watches, and their suits were secured by Velcro, or ‘hook-and-loop fastener’, invented by a Swiss engineer. Today, Swiss companies and universities are involved in the majority of ESA’s space science missions, including the Solar Orbiter, Gaia, Juice or Rosalind Franklin.

Switzerland contributes 2.4% to the Ariane 6 programme and so two Switzerland-based companies, Beyond Gravity and APCO Technologies supply components for the Ariane 6 rocket, as well as ground support equipment essential for its development.

This series of infographics is looking at the parts and components needed to assemble the Ariane 6 rocket – 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.