# ArianeGroup

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{{Short description|European aerospace company}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ArianeGroup
| image_caption = [Ariane 5](/source/Ariane_5) carrying [NASA](/source/NASA)'s [James Webb Space Telescope](/source/James_Webb_Space_Telescope) in December 2021 in [Kourou](/source/Kourou), [French Guiana](/source/French_Guiana), France.
| former_name = Airbus Safran Launchers
| logo = Arianespace wo wordmark.svg
| image = Ariane 5 with James Webb Space Telescope Prelaunch (NHQ202112230018).jpg
| type = [Joint venture](/source/Joint_venture)
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2015|1|1|df=y}}
| location_city = [Paris](/source/Paris), France
| industry = [Space](/source/Space_industry)
| key_people = Martin Sion (CEO, until March&nbsp;2026)<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Upcoming change in ArianeGroup leadership: Martin Sion will not seek the renewal of his mandate as CEO |date=October 8, 2025 |url=https://press.ariane.group/?p=37700 |last=Sohier |first=Camille |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=ArianeGroup}}</ref>
| owners = {{unbulleted list
   | [Airbus](/source/Airbus) (50%)
   | [Safran](/source/Safran) (50%)
   }}
| subsid = {{unbulleted list
   | [Arianespace](/source/Arianespace)
   | [CILAS](/source/CILAS)
   | [Eurockot Launch Services](/source/Eurockot_Launch_Services)
   | [Sodern](/source/Sodern)
   }}
| revenue = {{€|3.1 billion|link=yes}} (2021)
| num_employees = 8,000 (2023)<ref>[https://www.ariane.group/en/about-us/company-profil/ Company Profile]</ref>
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.ariane.group/}}
| footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ariane.group/en/about-us/company-profil/|title=Company profile|publisher=ArianeGroup|accessdate=23 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ariane.group/en/equipment-and-services/security-and-defence|title=Security and Defence|work=ArianeGroup |accessdate=23 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ariane.group/en/about-us/our-main-facilities-and-locations/|title=Our main facilities and locations|publisher=ArianeGroup|accessdate=23 June 2017}}</ref>
}}

'''ArianeGroup''' (formerly '''Airbus Safran Launchers''') is an [aerospace](/source/aerospace) company based in [France](/source/France). A [joint venture](/source/joint_venture) between [Airbus](/source/Airbus) and [Safran](/source/Safran),<ref>{{cite web |date=13 July 2022 |title=Nos actionnaires |url=https://www.ariane.group/fr/a-propos/nos-actionnaires/}}</ref> the company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in [Issy-les-Moulineaux](/source/Issy-les-Moulineaux) near [Paris](/source/Paris). It consists of three core groups: aerospace, defence, and security. ArianeGroup has developed its next-generation two-stage [Ariane 6](/source/Ariane_6) launch vehicle, which succeeded the [Ariane 5](/source/Ariane_5) rocket, that had more than 110  launches. The new vehicle offers two variants that are capable of carrying between 10,350 and 21,650 [kilograms](/source/Kilogram). The first launch of Ariane 6 occurred on 9 July 2024.

If the company's task is to develop and manufacture the launch vehicles, [Arianespace](/source/Arianespace) acts as the launch service provider for them. Meanwhile, another subsidiary, [ArianeWorks](/source/ArianeWorks), is tasked with developing next-generation technologies such as the reusable [Themis](/source/Themis_programme) rocket booster. ArianeGroup also notably manufactures France's [M51](/source/M51_(missile)) [nuclear](/source/thermonuclear_weapon) [submarine-launched ballistic missile](/source/submarine-launched_ballistic_missile).

As of 2016, ArianeGroup's principal sites are located in Issy-les-Moulineaux, [Saint-Médard-en-Jalles](/source/Saint-M%C3%A9dard-en-Jalles), [Kourou](/source/Kourou) (space center), [Vernon](/source/Vernon%2C_Eure), [Le Haillan](/source/Le_Haillan) and [Les Mureaux](/source/Les_Mureaux) in France as well as [Lampoldshausen](/source/Lampoldshausen), [Bremen](/source/Bremen) and [Ottobrunn](/source/Ottobrunn) in [Germany](/source/Germany).<ref name=airbus20160209/>

==History==
The formation of ArianeGroup is closely connected to both the development of the [Ariane 6](/source/Ariane_6) [heavy-lift launcher](/source/heavy-lift_launch_vehicle) during the 2010s, as well as the space manufacturing aligned interests of two European aerospace companies, [Airbus](/source/Airbus_Defence_and_Space) and [Safran](/source/Safran). During June 2014, Airbus and Safran approached the [European Space Agency](/source/European_Space_Agency) (ESA) with its own proposal for the Ariane 6 programme, the establishment of a 50/50 [joint venture](/source/joint_venture) to develop the rocket, which would also involve buying out the French government's [CNES](/source/CNES) interest in [Arianespace](/source/Arianespace).<ref name=sn20140620>{{cite news|last=de Selding|first=Peter|title=Airbus and Safran Propose New Ariane 6 Design, Reorganization of Europe's Rocket Industry|url=http://spacenews.com/40973airbus-and-safran-propose-new-ariane-6-design-reorganization-of-europes/|newspaper=Space News|date=20 June 2014|accessdate=6 June 2015|quote=European space-hardware builders Airbus and Safran have proposed that the French and European space agencies scrap much of their previous 18 months' work on a next-generation Ariane 6 rocket in favor of a design that includes much more liquid propulsion.}}</ref><ref name="BBCcustomerShots">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-28166626|title=Ariane 6: Customers call the shots|first1=Jonathan|last1=Amos|work=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)|date=5 July 2014|accessdate=6 June 2015}}</ref>

The company was established on 1 January 2015, with headquarters in [Issy-les-Moulineaux](/source/Issy-les-Moulineaux) near [Paris](/source/Paris).<ref name=airbus20141203>[http://www.airbusgroup.com/dam/assets/airbusgroup/int/en/news-and-media/Press-Releases-PDF/12-2014/20141203_airbus_group_safran/Press-Release_Airbus-Safran-Joint-Venture_DE/Press%20Release_Airbus%20Safran%20Joint%20Venture_DE.pdf "Press Release. Airbus Group und Safran gründen Joint Venture".] ''Airbus Group'', 3 December 2014. Retrieved on 8 February 2016.</ref> At the time of formation, ArianeGroup's principal sites were Issy-les-Moulineaux, [Saint-Médard-en-Jalles](/source/Saint-M%C3%A9dard-en-Jalles), [Kourou](/source/Kourou) (space center), [Vernon](/source/Vernon%2C_Eure), [Le Haillan](/source/Le_Haillan) and [Les Mureaux](/source/Les_Mureaux) in France as well as [Lampoldshausen](/source/Lampoldshausen), [Bremen](/source/Bremen) and [Ottobrunn](/source/Ottobrunn) in [Germany](/source/Germany).<ref name=airbus20160209>{{Cite web|url=http://www.airbusafran-launchers.com/#location|title=Airbus Safran Launchers|access-date=9 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321084530/https://www.airbusafran-launchers.com/#location|archive-date=21 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=June 2020}}
In mid 2014, the joint venture partners named Alain Charmeau as its [CEO](/source/CEO) and Marc Ventre as the Chairman of the Board.<ref>{{cite news|title=Airbus and Safran Pick Leadership for New Joint Venture Launch Company|author=Caleb Henry |date=July 31, 2014 |url=https://www.satellitetoday.com/business/2014/07/31/airbus-and-safran-pick-leadership-for-new-joint-venture-launch-company/|publisher=Via Satellite|access-date=April 9, 2023}}</ref>

The reorganization of a major portion of [Europe](/source/Europe)'s space industry, which led to the creation of ArianeGroup, generated both close scrutiny and a level of controversy. French newspaper ''[La Tribune](/source/La_Tribune)'' published a scathing article, questioning whether Airbus could deliver on the promised costs for their Ariane 6 proposal, and whether Airbus and Safran Group could be trusted when they were found to be responsible for a failure of [Ariane 5 flight 517](/source/Ariane_5) in 2002 and the failure of the [M51 ballistic missile](/source/M51_(missile)) in 2013.<ref name=FautilDonnerToutesLesCles>{{cite news |url=http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/20140707trib000838582/faut-il-donner-toutes-les-cles-d-ariane-6-a-airbus-et-safran.html|title=Faut-il donner toutes les clés d'Ariane 6 a Airbus et Safran?|first=Michel|last=Cabirol|publisher=La Tribune|date=7 July 2014|accessdate=5 August 2014|language=fr}}</ref> The companies were also criticized for being unwilling to incur development risks, and asking for higher initial funding than originally planned - {{Euro|2.6 billion}} instead of {{Euro|2.3 billion}}. Estimated launch prices of {{Euro|85 million}} for Ariane 6.1 and {{Euro|69 million}} for Ariane 6.2 did not compare favorably to [SpaceX](/source/SpaceX) offerings.<ref name=PrivatisationdAriane6>{{cite news|url=http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/aeronautique-defense/20140707trib000838581/privatisation-d-ariane-6-comment-airbus-et-safran-negocient-le-casse-du-siecle.html|title=Privatisation d'Ariane 6 : comment Airbus et Safran négocient le "casse du siècle" |first=Michel|last=Cabirol|work=[La Tribune](/source/La_Tribune)|date=7 July 2014|access-date=5 August 2014|language=fr|trans-title=Ariane 6 privatized: how Airbus and Safran negotiate the "heist of the century"}}</ref> A review was performed by the French government, focusing upon the company's tax affairs, while the [European Commission](/source/European_Commission) conducted its own probe into a possible [conflict of interest](/source/conflict_of_interest) if Airbus, which is also active as a [satellite manufacturer](/source/List_of_spacecraft_manufacturers), was put into the position of purchasing launches upon launchers manufactured by itself.<ref name="BBCapril2016">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35983735|title=Ariane 6 project 'in good shape'|first1=Jonathan|last1=Amos|publisher=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)|date=7 April 2016|accessdate=7 April 2016}}</ref>{{update after|2014}}

{{asof|2018}}, [Alain Charmeau](/source/Alain_Charmeau) remained as chair of ArianeGroup, and the group was producing three existing rockets: the [Ariane 5](/source/Ariane_5), [Vega](/source/Vega_(rocket)), and a [European version](/source/European_Soyuz) of the [Russian](/source/Government_of_Russia) [Soyuz](/source/European_Soyuz), while pursuing [development](/source/new_product_development) of the [Ariane 6](/source/Ariane_6), and building a massive new launch pad facility at the [Guiana Space Centre](/source/Guiana_Space_Centre).<ref name=ars20180721>{{cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/07/as-the-spacex-steamroller-surges-european-rocket-industry-vows-to-resist/ |title=As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist |date=20 July 2018 |accessdate=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720141110/https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/07/as-the-spacex-steamroller-surges-european-rocket-industry-vows-to-resist/ |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By February 2019, Ariane Group and the French government space agency [CNES](/source/CNES) began work on a new "acceleration platform" called '''ArianeWorks'''<!-- bolded per [WP:MOSBOLD](/source/WP%3AMOSBOLD) as a redirect target --> to develop new launchers, including [reusable](/source/reusable_launch_system) ones, which included teams from both companies working "under one roof."<ref name=sdc20100910/> The joint operation was to have a more [flexible working environment](/source/Agile_development)<!-- Agile development is per refname satnews20201217 --> than traditional Ariane projects, and was intended to explicitly be open to "new players and internationally."<ref name=sdc20100910/>  By September 2019, the results from two low-cost demonstrators were expected soon, and a more robust flight demonstrator called [Themis](/source/Themis_programme) was projected to one day make use of some parts of the earlier demonstration projects and would use the larger reusable [Prometheus](/source/Prometheus_(rocket_engine)) [rocket engine](/source/rocket_engine). The Themis prototype was to be built by Paris prototyping company [MyCTO](/source/MyCTO).<ref name=sdc20100910>{{cite news |title=Europe's ArianeWorks Aims for Reusable Rockets (with a Very SpaceX Look) |url=https://www.space.com/arianeworks-reusable-rockets-themis-callisto-video.html |work=SPACE.com |last=Howell|first=Elizabeth |date=10 September 2019 |accessdate=4 January 2021 }}</ref> In the event, the [ESA](/source/ESA) contracted with ArianeGroup in December 2020 to build the Themis resusable rocket stage demonstrator, and provided an initial {{Euro|33 million}} for the first development phase.  The program objective is to be able to demonstrate to European governments by 2022 a range of technologies needed to meet European reusable rocket technology needs such that competitive launcher options could be developed in Europe to compete in the 2030s [global launch market](/source/Space_launch_market_competition).<ref name=satnews20201217>{{cite news |title=ESA Contracts ArianeGroup To Develop Themis Reusable Rocket Stage Demonstrator |url=https://news.satnews.com/2020/12/17/esa-contracts-arianegroup-to-develop-themis-reusable-rocket-stage-demonstrator/ |work=satnews |date=17 December 2020 |accessdate=4 January 2021 }}</ref>

==Products==
===Orbital launch vehicles===
thumb|upright|left|''Ariane 62'' (left) and ''Ariane 64'' (right) in development by ArianeGroup

ArianeGroup's [subsidiary](/source/subsidiary), [Arianespace](/source/Arianespace), operates and markets commercial launch services for the [Ariane rocket family](/source/Ariane_(rocket_family)), an [expendable launch system](/source/expendable_launch_system) which is used to deliver payloads into [geostationary transfer orbit](/source/geostationary_transfer_orbit) (GTO) or [low Earth orbit](/source/low_Earth_orbit) (LEO). According to Arianespace, at the time of its establishment in 1980, it was the world's first launch services company.<ref name=arianespace1980>{{cite web|title=Arianespace was founded in 1980 as the world's first launch services company|url=http://www.arianespace.com/site/about/arianespace_today_sub_index.html |publisher=arianespace.com|accessdate=7 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218002917/http://www.arianespace.com/site/about/arianespace_today_sub_index.html|archive-date=18 February 2008}}</ref> By early 1986, the [Ariane 1](/source/Ariane_1), along with its [Ariane 2](/source/Ariane_2) and [Ariane 3](/source/Ariane_3) derivates, had become the dominant launcher on the global market.<ref name="harvey 172">Harvey 2003, p. 172.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Launchers_Home/SEMN2E67ESD_0.html|title=Ariane 1,2,3|date=3 May 2004|publisher=[European Space Agency](/source/European_Space_Agency)|work=Ariane 1|accessdate=28 September 2009}}</ref> Since then, the improved [Ariane 4](/source/Ariane_4), [Ariane 5](/source/Ariane_5) and [Ariane 6](/source/Ariane_6) launchers have been successfully introduced by Arianespace.<ref name="harvey 193">Harvey 2003, p. 193.</ref>

In addition to the Ariane [heavy-lift launcher](/source/heavy-lift_launch_vehicle), Arianespace also has a portfolio of smaller [launch vehicle](/source/launch_vehicle)s, including the [Soyuz-2](/source/Soyuz-2) as a [medium-lift](/source/medium-lift_launch_vehicle) alternative, and the [solid-fueled](/source/solid-fuel_rocket) [Vega](/source/Vega_(rocket)) for lighter payloads. Arianespace uses the [Guiana Space Center](/source/Guiana_Space_Center) in [French Guiana](/source/French_Guiana) as its main launch site.<ref name="launchers">{{cite web|title=Service & Solutions|url=http://www.arianespace.com/about-us/service-solutions.asp|publisher=arianespace.com|accessdate=15 February 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110212040834/http://arianespace.com/about-us/service-solutions.asp|archive-date=12 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

While Arianespace handled the operation of the [Ariane 5](/source/Ariane_5), its parent ArianeGroup is the primary contractor for the manufacture of this launcher. It has also been responsible for enhancements and further development of the platform; one project, known as the Ariane 5 '''ME''' (''Mid-life Evolution'') was underway until late 2014, at which point the ESA halted funding for development to instead prioritize work on the new generation [Ariane 6](/source/Ariane_6) launcher.<ref name="AdaptedME">{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/Launch_vehicles/Adapted_Ariane_5_ME|title= Adapted Ariane 5 ME|publisher=European Space Agency|access-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006114600/http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/Launch_vehicles/Adapted_Ariane_5_ME|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0912/21ariane/|title=ESA signs contract for Ariane 5 rocket enhancements|access-date=22 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225120206/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0912/21ariane/|archive-date=25 December 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=slr20141203>{{cite web |url=http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/ariane6.html|title=Ariane 6|publisher=Space Launch Report|first1=Ed|last1=Kyle|date=3 December 2014|accessdate=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530225452/http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/ariane6.html|archive-date=30 May 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 12 August 2015, the [European Space Agency](/source/European_Space_Agency) (ESA) appointed Airbus Safran Launchers as the principal contractor with the new development of the [Ariane 6](/source/Ariane_6).<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.airbusafran-launchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ASL-1-year.pdf|title=Airbus Safran Launchers: a highly promising first year|type=PDF|date=28 January 2016|accessdate=8 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208020512/http://www.airbusafran-launchers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ASL-1-year.pdf|archive-date=8 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Amongst other factors, the ESA is reportedly keen to maximise the potential commonalities between the Ariane 6 and Vega launchers.<ref>Thisdell, Dan. [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/in-focus-europes-next-rocket-has-high-hurdles-to-c-379500/"IN FOCUS: Europe's next rocket has high hurdles to clear".] ''Flight International'', 27 November 2012.</ref> During January 2016, the basic design was finalized, advancing the work into the detailed design and production phases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Ariane_6_design_finalized_set_for_2020_launch_999.html|title=Ariane 6 design finalized, set for 2020 launch|publisher=Space Daily|date=28 January 2016|accessdate=30 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35435108|title=Europe settles on design for Ariane 6 rocket|publisher=BBC News|first1=Jonathan|last1=Amos|date=28 January 2016|accessdate=30 January 2016}}</ref> On 6 May 2019, Arianespace ordered the first production batch of 14 Ariane 6 launchers; these are intended for missions to be conducted between 2022 and 2025.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=jeff_foust|author-link=Jeff Foust|number=1125837658477989888|title=Stéphane Israël, Arianespace: ordered first production batch of 14 Ariane 6 rockets yesterday for missions in 2021-23. #SATShow|date=7 May 2019|access-date=7 May 2019}}</ref> Ariane 6 first launched on 9 July 2024.

ArianeGroup is also developing [Ariane Next](/source/Ariane_Next), a partially reusable launcher that should succeed Ariane 6 from the 2030s. The objective of this reusable launcher is to halve the launch costs.<ref>{{cite conference|last1=Patureau de Mirand |first1=Antoine |title=Ariane Next, a vision for a reusable cost efficient European rocket |conference=8th European Conference for Aeronautics and Space Sciences |date=July 2019 |url=https://www.eucass.eu/index.php/component/docindexer/?task=download&id=5506 |format=PDF |doi=10.13009/EUCASS2019-949 |access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref>

==== MaiaSpace ====
In 2021, French company, MaiaSpace, was founded. A subsidiary of ArianeGroup, its purpose is to develop a small reusable launch vehicle as soon as 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SAINT-MARTIN|first=Thierry|title=ArianeGroup is launching MaiaSpace - JEC Group|url=https://www.jeccomposites.com/news/arianegroup-is-launching-maiaspace/|access-date=29 January 2022|website=www.jeccomposites.com/|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=6 December 2021|title=Spatial: la France fait (enfin) le grand saut du lanceur réutilisable|url=https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/aeronautique/spatial-la-france-fait-enfin-le-grand-saut-du-lanceur-reutilisable_792188|first=Vincent|last=Lamigeon|access-date=29 January 2022|website=Challenges|language=fr}}</ref> The launch vehicle, named [Maia](/source/Maia_(rocket)), is planned to be capable of carrying 500-kilogram payloads to [Sun-synchronous orbit](/source/Sun-synchronous_orbit). It will use the [Prometheus engine](/source/Prometheus_(rocket_engine))—three for the first stage and one for the upper stage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parsonson |first=Andrew |date=2025-07-02 |title=ArianeGroup Completes Key Prometheus Rocket Engine Tests |url=https://europeanspaceflight.com/arianegroup-completes-key-prometheus-rocket-engine-tests/ |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=European Spaceflight |language=en-US}}</ref> The rocket design is similar to [SpaceX](/source/SpaceX)'s reusable rocket, [Falcon 9](/source/Falcon_9), and similarly to SpaceX, Maia will use landing legs to land on either a floating landing platform or a landing pad on land. The Maia rocket will be launched from Europe's [Guiana Spaceport](/source/Guiana_Space_Centre) in Kourou, French Guiana.<ref>{{Cite web|last=SAINT-MARTIN|first=Thierry|title=ArianeGroup is launching MaiaSpace - JEC Group|url=https://www.jeccomposites.com/news/arianegroup-is-launching-maiaspace/|access-date=29 January 2022|website=jeccomposites.com/|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=6 December 2021|title=Spatial: la France fait (enfin) le grand saut du lanceur réutilisable|url=https://www.challenges.fr/entreprise/aeronautique/spatial-la-france-fait-enfin-le-grand-saut-du-lanceur-reutilisable_792188|access-date=29 January 2022|website=Challenges|language=fr}}</ref>

===Missiles===
ArianeGroup is the prime contractor for the [M51](/source/M51_(missile)), a [submarine-launched ballistic missile](/source/submarine-launched_ballistic_missile) (SLBM) operated by the [French Navy](/source/French_Navy), being responsible for development, manufacture, system support, and end-of-life disposal of the missiles, in addition to delivering both the land-based operating infrastructure and the submarine-based command and control systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ariane.group/en/defense/m51/|title=M51|publisher=ArianeGroup|accessdate=5 April 2020}}</ref> During May 2016, Airbus and Safran announced an agreement for ArianeGroup to undertake modification work to upgrade the M51 to the M51.3 standard.<ref name="M51">{{cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/space/2016/05/10/airbus-and-safran-agree-to-space-launcher-joint-venture/|website=defensenews.com|title=Airbus and Safran Agree to Space Launcher Joint Venture|first=Pierre|last=Tran|date=10 May 2016|accessdate=9 July 2017}}</ref>

During January 2019, it was announced that ArianeGroup was developing a [hypersonic](/source/hypersonic) glide vehicle under the project V-Max.<ref name="urlRace for hypersonic weapons heats up as France joins fray">{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/race-for-hypersonic-weapons-heats-up-as-france-joins-fray|title=Race for 'hypersonic' weapons heats up as France joins fray|publisher=[The Straits Times](/source/The_Straits_Times)|date= 29 January 2019}}</ref> Forecast for delivery during 2021, its delivery shall make France the first European nation to develop its own hypersonic weapons.<ref name="urlNow France Wants Hypersonic Missiles by 2021|The National Interest">{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/now-france-wants-hypersonic-missiles-2021-43202|title=Now France Wants Hypersonic Missiles by 2021|first=Michael|last=Peck|publisher=The National Interest|date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

===Orbital Propulsion Systems===
The [Orbital Propulsion Centre](/source/Orbital_Propulsion_Centre), a division of the ArianeGroup, is located in Lampoldshausen, Germany. The Lampoldshausen facility is the European [centre of excellence](/source/centre_of_excellence) for spacecraft propulsion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space-propulsion.com|title=Orbital Propulsion Centre, Lampoldshausen, Germany|publisher=space-propulsion.com}}</ref> The centre supplies complete propulsion systems, subsystems and component parts for satellites, orbital spacecraft, interplanetary spacecraft, re-entry vehicles, resupply missions to the International Space Station and currently the NASA / ESA Orion European Service Module. The majority of ESA satellites and spacecraft have reportedly incorporated thruster or other components that have been produced at Lampoldshausen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space-propulsion.com/spacecraft-propulsion/heritage/index.html|title=Spacecraft Propulsion Heritage|publisher=space-propulsion.com}}</ref>

===Rocket engines===
* [Vulcain](/source/Vulcain_(rocket_engine))
* [HM7B](/source/HM7B)
* [Vinci](/source/Vinci_(rocket_engine))

==See also==
{{Portal|Spaceflight|France|Companies}}
* [French space program](/source/French_space_program)

==References==
[[File:Ariane Group (35121113780).jpg|thumb|The ArianeGroup Chalet at [Paris Air Show](/source/Paris_Air_Show) 2017]]

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}

* Harvey, Brian. ''Europe's Space Programme: To Ariane and Beyond.'' Springer Science & Business Media, 2003. {{ISBN|1-8523-3722-2}}.
{{Refend}}

{{Ariane}}
{{Airbus Group}}
{{Safran}}
{{Authority control}}

Category:Aerospace companies of France
Category:Airbus subsidiaries and divisions
Category:Safran Group
Category:Airbus joint ventures
Category:Technology companies established in 2015
Category:2015 establishments in Europe
Category:Companies based in Île-de-France
Category:ArianeGroup

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [ArianeGroup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArianeGroup) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArianeGroup?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.
