Volvo Aero’s components have helped to lift the Ariane 5 ECA into space on two successful launches in 2006 including last Saturday’s record-breaking satellite payload. With four more scheduled for this year, the Swedish company’s aerospace arm has pronounced itself delighted that Arianespace’s order bookings have never been larger.
Volvo Aero developed and manufactured the exhaust nozzle and drive turbines for the for the Vulcain 2 engine, which powers Ariane 5 rocket engine. The engine had to be partially redesigned following a highly publicized Ariane launch failure in December 2002.
“For Volvo Aero, that success means our production of nozzles and turbines for six Vulcain 2 engines annually can continue according to plan, said Torgny Stenholm, Volvo Aero’s vice president for space markets and programs.
“From a practical standpoint, it means we can focus on demonstrating our own technologies for next-generation nozzles and turbines, in which cost, low weight and reliability are the primary focus,” Stenholm said.
Volvo Aero has emerged stronger from the turbulence experienced in recent years on the space side, the company said in a statement. “We have further solidified our role as Europe’s center of expertise for both nozzles and turbines,” Stenholm added.
