Ariane 6 – made in Sweden

Sweden, a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and host of the Esrange Space Center located in Kiruna, is also an important contributor of Ariane 6, representing a share of 1.5% of the development programme up to the inaugural flight.

GKN Aerospace’s engines division is based in Sweden and provides components such as turbines and nozzle extensions for Ariane 6’s rocket engines.

This series of articles 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.

GKN Aerospace – pumping it up and keeping it cool

GKN Aerospace has been part of the Ariane programme for more than 50 years. For Ariane 6, the company provides the turbines and the nozzle extension for the Vulcain 2.1 rocket engine and the turbines for the Vinci engine.

Turbines are used to drive the fuel pumps of Ariane 6 engines by maintaining the ideal combustion pressure and speed. This system is essential for delivering large amounts of propellant at high pressure, ensuring continuous propulsion to reach and sustain orbital trajectories.

Nozzles are indispensable pieces in a rocket, as they direct the thrust and flow of exhaust gases during launches. This means heat, lots of it! In fact, exhaust temperatures can reach up to 4000ºC. But Ariane 6’s metallic nozzles contain a tiny secret: advanced cooling. Over a thousand small cooling channels run through the nozzle’s millimetre-thin wall. Liquid hydrogen flows through these channels, which helps maintain the nozzle’s structural integrity by cooling it down.