P120C and P160C on Vega-C and Ariane 6

From P80 to P160C, ESA's line of solid-propellant rocket motors power the Ariane and Vega family of launch vehicles. This artist impression shows the P120C version and its upgrade P160C on the Vega-C and Ariane 6 rockets for comparison. The Ariane 6 rocket comes in two variants depending on the amount of thrust required: the Ariane 62 has two boosters and the Ariane 64 has four, providing extra boost for heavier payloads or destinations further afield.

P160C is a significant upgrade over P120C that is already in use as a booster on Ariane 6 and as the first stage motor on Vega-C rockets. Packed with over 14 tonnes more solid propellant and a meter longer, the new P160C will provide increased performance, allowing for more or heavier satellites to be launched or farther away in space.

The “P” in its name stands for “Powder”, as the 3.4-m cylinder houses solid propellant. The number 160 designates the 160 tonnes of propellant inside, and the C stands for “Common” as the motor is used on the two launchers.

P160C is being developed by Europropulsion under contract from ArianeGroup and Avio who are developing the Ariane 6 launcher systems and Vega launcher systems for ESA.