Vulcain Mk2 LOX turbopump for Ariane-5E

The Vulcain Mk2 engine is being developed to power the Ariane-5E upgrade. Derived from the current Vulcain, the thrust is being increased from 1145 kN to 1350 kN at sea level. The photograph shows the new liquid oxygen turbopump, which must cope with the increased flow rate. ESA's Ministerial Council meeting at Toulouse, France in October 1995 formally approved the Ariane-5 Evolution programme primarily to improve the vehicle's geostationary transfer orbit performance from 5.97t to 7.4t. The first Ariane-5E launch is planned for May 2002. [Image Date: 1998] [98.09.018-002]