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P120C

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P120C
Closeup view of P120s of an Ariane 6 mockup at ILA Berlin Air Show 2016
Country of origin Italy
 European Union
First flight13 July 2022 (2022-07-13)
DesignerAvio
ManufacturerEuropropulsion
Associated LVAriane 6, Vega C
PredecessorP80
SuccessorP160C
StatusIn use
Solid-fuel motor
PropellantHTPB / AP / Al
Performance
Thrust, sea-level4,323 kN (972,000 lbf)
Specific impulse, sea-level279 s (2.74 km/s)
Burn time135.7 seconds
Propellant capacity141,634 kg (312,250 lb)
Dimensions
Length13.38 m (43.9 ft)
Diameter3.4 m (11 ft)
Gross mass155,027 kg (341,776 lb)

The P120C is a solid-fuel rocket motor designed for use as the first stage of the Vega-C and as the boosters of the Ariane 6 launch vehicles. The solid rocket motors were developed by Europropulsion, a joint venture of Avio and ArianeGroup, for the European Space Agency. The "C" in the name signifies its "Common" use across these vehicles.

As of July 2022, it holds the title of the world's largest and most-powerful single-piece solid-fuel rocket motor, surpassing its predecessor, the P80.[not verified in body]

Development and Testing

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Initially, production of the P120C was planned to be divided between Avio's main facility in Italy and MT Aerospace in Germany. However, in 2018, ESA decided to consolidate production entirely in Italy, with MT Aerospace focusing on Ariane 6's turbopumps.[1]

The first successful test firing occurred at the Guiana Space Centre in July 2018, lasting 140 seconds and simulating a complete first-stage burn.[2] Subsequent tests in 2019 and 2020 confirmed the motor's flight readiness for both launcher configurations.[3][4]

Design and Performance

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The P120C builds upon the P80's design, utilizing a carbon fibre casing constructed via filament winding and fabric deposition techniques. It houses a 143.6 tonnes (317,000 lb) of HTPB 1912 propellant, a blend of 19% aluminium powder, 69% ammonium perchlorate with 12% of hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene binder.[5] The motor's 25 centimetres (9.8 in) thick walls require a 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi) of carbon fiber, wound over 33 days in a climate-controlled environment. When operational, the P120C generates an average thrust of 4.5 meganewtons (1,000,000 lbf).[6]

P160C

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Main article: P160C

In 2022, development began on the P120C+ variant, which would evolve into the P160C. This extended version adds 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) to the motor's length and an additional 14 tonnes (14 long tons; 15 short tons) of propellant.[7] This upgrade translates to a roughly 2 tonnes (4,400 lb) improvement in lift performance on the Ariane 64 with four boosters.[8] Notably, 16 of the planned 18 Kuiper launches by Ariane 6 will utilize this enhanced booster.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Germany trades P120 booster production for Ariane 6 turbo pumps, upper stage carbon fiber research". SpaceNews. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Hot firing proves solid rocket motor for Ariane 6 and Vega-C". ESA. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Successful second test firing for the P120C solid rocket motor for Ariane 6 and Vega-C". ArianeGroup. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  4. ^ "The qualification model of the P120C motor configured for Ariane 6, has been static fired on the test stand at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana in a final test to prove its readiness for flight". ESA. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  5. ^ "VEGA C: 1° Stage – P120C Motor". Avio. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  6. ^ Richard Priday (11 June 2018). "This is the fastest rocket on Earth". Wired. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  7. ^ "ESA-developed P120C solid rocket motor enters production". Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b Foust, Jeff (5 April 2022). "Amazon launch contracts drive changes to launch vehicle production". SpaceNews. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
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