Swiss Technology Is on Its Way Into Space With Ariane 6

(CONNECT) On 13 August at 2.37 a.m. Central European Time, a European Space Agency (ESA) launcher was launched into space from the Guiana Space Center, the ESA announced in a press release. On board the Ariane 6 is a 4.4-ton second-generation MetOp satellite. It will monitor the weather and climate from polar orbit.

Swiss technology contributes to the project: The heart of the MetOp is a six-meter-high structure in which all the satellite's instruments and necessary systems are installed. This structure and a number of other components for both the satellite and the launch vehicle were manufactured by the Zurich-based space company Beyond Gravity. The MetOp's structure, which weighs around 1 ton, is made of carbon fiber, aluminum and some titanium for critical connections. Beyond Gravity manufactured the carbon fiber composite rocket nose cone, the so-called payload fairing, for Ariane 6.

APCO Technologies in turn contributed important components of the launch vehicle to the project. Among other things, the aerospace company from Aigle produced the fastenings for the boosters and the booster caps. When an Ariane 6 is launched, these brackets have to withstand a thrust of 270 tons. ce/hs