First upper stage of Ariane 6 successfully tested on the P5.2 test stand at DLR Lampoldshausen.
The test of the Ariane 6 upper stage is a major milestone in launcher development. The teams from DLR, ArianeGroup and the European Space Agency (ESA) were able to refuel and cool down the new upper stage for the first time and test the Vinci engine for 45 seconds in a hot run.
Test of a LOX/methane technology demonstrator on the P3 test bench
LOX/methane engines promise great potential in the development of cost-effective and reusable high-thrust rocket engines. After researching this fuel combination at DLR Lampoldshausen since 2016, DLR is now working on making its large-scale test benches fit for complete LOX/methane engines.
To prepare the engines for their flight into space, they are put to the test at DLR in Lampoldshausen. Rockets consist of several stages that are ignited one after the other. The highly specialized ESA and DLR test benches simulate the rocket and provide test conditions that are as similar as possible to real flight. They measure the data, control, regulate and monitor the engines during the tests.
The DLR Institute of Space Propulsion, based in Lampoldshausen, operates a large number of test facilities on the DLR site. The unique test stand facilities, including all supply infrastructure and services, are offered to customers and test campaigns are carried out on their behalf. The European Space Agency (ESA) regards this facility as an indispensable strategic infrastructure for Europe's independent access to space.
In principle, a distinction is made between two types of system: Test benches for sea level tests – tests carried out under ambient conditions – and test benches for high altitude simulation tests – tests carried out in a vacuum using special high-altitude equipment. The test facilities cover the entire portfolio of desired test requirements for liquid chemical space propulsion systems: from component tests and engine tests to the testing of entire rocket stages. Tests are carried out for research and development as well as qualification and characterization tests. This makes it possible to test every technology readiness level (TRL) at the DLR site in Lampoldshausen.
The continuous maintenance and further development of the test bench systems and the adaptation to the requirements for potential future space propulsion systems is being developed through projects to increase flexibility and reduce costs, including through the use of artificial intelligence.
At no other European aerospace location is the interlinking of research, development, design and planning as well as engine tests on large-scale test benches for space propulsion systems as close as at DLR in Lampoldshausen. This enables us to shorten development times and significantly increase the maturity of chemical liquid space propulsion systems.
With the successful test on September 1, 2023 at DLR in Lampoldshausen, the newly designed upper stage of Ariane 6 has taken an important step towards qualification and first launch. With two ignitions of the Vinci engine and two ignitions of the APU, a highly complex requirement profile was mapped on the P5.2 test stand.
Video: Hot run test of the Ariane 6 upper stage at DLR in Lampoldshausen
Your consent to the storage of data ('cookies') is required for the playback of this video on Quickchannel.com. You can view and change your current data storage settings at any time under privacy.
Video: Hot run test of the Ariane 6 upper stage at DLR in Lampoldshausen
With the successful test on September 1, 2023 at DLR in Lampoldshausen, the newly designed upper stage of Ariane 6 has taken an important step towards qualification and first launch. With two ignitions of the Vinci engine and two ignitions of the APU, a highly complex requirement profile was mapped on the P5.2 test stand.
