Air Liquide to design the new generation of tanks for the future Vega-E space launcher
- Space
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Avio and the European Space Agency (ESA) have entrusted Air Liquide with the first phase of the design of the cryogenic tank located in the upper stage of the Vega-E (Vettore Europeo di Generazione Avantaza-Evolution) rocket containing liquid oxygen and methane. The cryogenic tank will store oxygen at -182°C and methane at -161°C. The Vega-E launchers are scheduled to enter service in 2026 to launch medium class satellites in low-Earth-orbit (LEO) from the Kourou base in French Guiana.
Air Liquide has been a recognized partner of the space industry for over 50 years. The Group's expertise includes launch infrastructures, on-board cryogenics for satellites, and ground test equipment for launchers and satellites. Building on this experience, Air Liquide has been anticipating the development of oxygen-methane propellants for tomorrow's launchers for several years now by setting up test facilities at its Campus Technologies Grenoble, France.