As for the Ariane 5 launcher, Avio participate in the Ariane 6 program also for the liquid propulsion. For the Ariane 6 program Avio has the responsibility to develop two turbopumps:
- The liquid oxygen turbopump for the main cryogenic motor Vulcain 2, as for the Ariane 5 program;
- The development of the liquid oxygen turbopump for the Vinci motor, that will be the cryogenic upper stage of this new European launcher.
Turbopumps are one of the main components in liquid propellant engines for aerospace use. These machines offer extreme performance, as they are designed to feed the combustion chamber with propellants drawn from tanks that are pressurized to hundreds of bars.
They have enormous power density (such as 6500 HP in a mass of 250 Kg), are exposed to extreme environments (at temperatures ranging from cryogenic to over 1000°C), highly aggressive liquids such as liquid oxygen, and astounding speeds of rotation.
Because of Avio’s lengthy history and broad experience in the design and construction of turbo-machines, the European Space Agency (ESA) entrusted Avio with the task of developing the turbopump Vinci.
