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.
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The new solid rocket booster P120C successfully completed its second firing test on 28 January 2019.
This motor is a new European development. It will be strapped onto the sides of the future Ariane 6 launch vehicle as boosters for liftoff, and will also be used as the main stage for Vega-C.
After it was fully loaded with 142 tonnes of fuel, the 13.5 m long and 3.4 m diameter motor was ignited to simulate liftoff and the first phase of the flight. The motor burned for 135 seconds and delivered a maximum thrust of about 4650 kN . The test was conducted at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, and was completed with no anomalies.