📰 First cryogenic tests for Ariane 6

The final operation of the ECT (early combined tests), the CCS Cryo tests consist of measuring the forces transiting between the ground and on-board resources and disconnecting the on-board/ground fluid connections, all in real thermal configuration. They are produced by CNES under the responsibility of ESA and carry objectives launcher (Pitcher, term of astronautics Pitcher, term of baseball) (ArianeGroup), ground (CNES) and launch system (ESA).

This is the last preparatory stage for the combined tests ofAriadne 6 (Ariane 6 refers to the space launcher intended to take over from Ariane 5…). The CCS Cryo (CCS for cryogenic connection system) tests carried out this spring (Spring (from the Latin primus, first, and tempus, time, this season once marking the…) on the ELA-4 launch area are intended to test the fluid links between the ground and the launcher in a representative configuration. More precisely, it is a question of creating a connection between the means of refueling (the cryogenic arms at the level of the upper stage ULPM and the MANG caissons at the level of 1^er LLPM stage) and a model of the launcher equipped with ainterface (An interface is an area, real or virtual, that separates two elements. The interface…) representative, and to make a traffic (Road traffic (Anglicism: road traffic) is the movement of motor vehicles…) ofhydrogen (Hydrogen is a chemical element with symbol H and atomic number 1.) liquid (The liquid phase is a state of matter. In this form, matter is…) to one temperature (Temperature is a physical quantity measured using a thermometer and…) -250°C for about 2 time (Time is a unit of measurement:). This allows to put in cold (Cold is the opposite sensation of hot, associated with low temperatures.) I’whole (In set theory, a set intuitively designates a collection…) equipment to be able to assess the influence of these conditions on the forces supported by the interface plate and finally to proceed with a drop as will be carried out with the real launcher during the first flight (The first flight or maiden flight of an aircraft is the first opportunity for it to take…).

« This is a unique opportunity to be able to test the disconnection phase under conditions representative of a launch timeline (The launch chronology, in the field of astronautics, is the timed succession of…). The challenge is all the more important as this phase of disconnection will take place in weather (Time is a concept developed by human beings to apprehend the…) positive on Ariane 6, i.e. once the order of lift-off (Takeoff is the transitional phase during which an aircraft passes from the state…) given. » Says Emmanuel Abou Zahr, engineer (“The basic job of the engineer consists in solving problems of nature…) system at CNES

control ofsealing (Sealing is the result of the prohibition of a passage. This general term can be…)

The campaign (The countryside, also called rural environment, designates all the cultivated areas…) CCS Cryo is also an opportunity to test certain implementation phases that will take place in the last moments of the timeline. « Once the refueling operations are over and the valve is closed, the launcher becomes autonomous and the ground prepares for the disconnection phase. All the hydrogen that is in the umbilical which was used to refueling and we check the tightness of the interfaces. We are therefore taking advantage of this campaign to refine all the implementation associated with this evacuation and this check »explains Emmanuel Abou Zahr.

The campaign, led by Olivier Ryckebosch, CNES engineer at ELA-4, is taking place in 2 phases. It started with two tests on the upper floor: a circulation ofpropellant (A propellant, in the field of astronautics, is a homogeneous substance used alone or in…) which makes it possible to measure the forces and to test the implementation of the sealing control, and a chronology dedicated to the disconnection with opening of the arm. It then continues at the level of the lower stage with the same operations, and an additional chronology to verify the behavior of the system with a simulation of a leak.

Did you know

The cryogenic arms and the MANG boxes refuel the launcher with liquid hydrogen and oxygen (Oxygen is a chemical element of the family of chalcogens, of…) liquid. However, the CCS Cryo tests only concern means dedicated to hydrogen, which are more complicated to implement. The oxygen side will be tested under thermal conditions during the combined tests with a model representative of the launcher, during a test which provides for the release of the LLPM and ULPM interfaces.