The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 23 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThe nozzle is attached to the P120C full-scale model solid rocket motor for Ariane 6 and Vega-C.
The large P120C solid-propellant motor is almost 11.5 m long and about 3.4 m in diameter and was built in just one segment. Two or four of these motors will be strapped to Ariane 6 as boosters for liftoff.
Vega-C will use the P120C as its first-stage motor to increase performance from Vega’s current 1.5 t to about 2.2 t in a reference 700 km polar orbit.