ArianeGroup
| Company type | Joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace, defence, security |
| Founded | January 1, 2015 |
| Founder | Airbus, Safran |
| Headquarters | Issy-les-Moulineaux , France |
Area served | Europe, global space launch market |
Key people | Alain Charmeau (Chairman), Marc Ventre (Chairman in 2014) |
| Products | Ariane 6 launch vehicle, M51 SLBM, propulsion systems |
| Parent | Airbus, Safran (50/50 partnership) |
ArianeGroup, previously known as Airbus Safran Launchers, is a European aerospace enterprise based in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris. Founded in 2015 as a 50/50 partnership between Airbus and Safran, the company operates within the aerospace, defence, and security industries. It is responsible for developing the advanced two-stage Ariane 6 launch vehicle, which succeeds the Ariane 5 rocket that has completed over 110 missions. Ariane 6 comes in two configurations, capable of delivering payloads ranging from 10,350 to 21,650 kilograms, with its maiden flight scheduled for 9 July 2024.
While ArianeGroup handles the design and production of launch vehicles, its affiliate Arianespace manages launch operations and services. Another subsidiary, ArianeWorks, is dedicated to pioneering next-generation technologies such as the reusable Themis rocket booster. Additionally, the company manufactures France’s M51 nuclear submarine-launched ballistic missile.
Since 2016, ArianeGroup’s primary production and development sites are located across France—in Issy-les-Moulineaux, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Kourou space center, Vernon, Le Haillan, Les Mureaux—and Germany—in Lampoldshausen, Bremen, and Ottobrunn.
History
The establishment of ArianeGroup is closely tied to the creation of the heavy-lift Ariane 6 launcher and the strategic integration of Airbus and Safran’s space manufacturing activities. In June 2014, Airbus and Safran proposed forming a joint venture with equal ownership to ESA for developing Ariane 6, which also involved acquiring the French government’s CNES share in Arianespace.
Officially launched on 1 January 2015 with its headquarters near Paris, ArianeGroup brought together key aerospace facilities across Europe. Leadership appointments included Alain Charmeau as CEO and Marc Ventre as Chairman in mid-2014.
This corporate restructuring attracted significant attention and debate. French media outlets questioned Airbus’s capacity to achieve targeted cost reductions for Ariane 6 and highlighted concerns regarding previous setbacks associated with Airbus and Safran products. The companies faced criticism over their request for increased initial funding (€2.6 billion compared to €2.3 billion) and for setting launch prices (€85 million for Ariane 6.1 and €69 million for Ariane 6.2) that appeared less competitive relative to SpaceX’s offerings. Concurrently, the French government conducted tax reviews while the European Commission investigated potential conflicts of interest stemming from Airbus’s dual role as both satellite manufacturer and launcher developer.
By 2018, Alain Charmeau continued as chairman while ArianeGroup produced rockets including Ariane 5, Vega, and the European Soyuz. During this period, development of Ariane 6 progressed alongside construction of a new launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre.
In February 2019, ArianeGroup collaborated with CNES to establish ArianeWorks, an innovation platform aimed at accelerating development of new launch vehicles incorporating reusable technologies. This initiative focused on agile engineering practices and fostering partnerships with international collaborators. By September 2019, low-cost technology demonstrators were anticipated soon; a larger reusable flight demonstrator named Themis was planned utilizing the reusable Prometheus engine. ESA awarded a contract for Themis development in December 2020 with an initial budget of €33 million to validate critical reusable rocket technologies by 2022, positioning Europe to compete in the global space launch market during the 2030s.
Orbital launch vehicles
Arianespace, a subsidiary of ArianeGroup, provides commercial launch services for the Ariane family of rockets, which are expendable launch systems designed to deliver payloads into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) or low Earth orbit (LEO). Established in 1980, Arianespace was the pioneer company offering launch services globally. By 1986, the Ariane 1 and its subsequent variants had secured a leading position in the worldwide launch market. Successive advancements led to the introduction of enhanced models such as Ariane 4, Ariane 5, and the upcoming Ariane 6.
In addition to the heavy-lift Ariane launcher, Arianespace markets smaller launch vehicles including the medium-capacity Soyuz-2 and the solid-propellant Vega, primarily operating from the Guiana Space Center situated in French Guiana.
While Arianespace manages operations of the Ariane 5 launcher, ArianeGroup remains its chief manufacturer and developer. Development of the Ariane 5 ME (Mid-life Evolution) upgrade continued until the European Space Agency redirected efforts toward the new Ariane 6 vehicle.
On 12 August 2015, ESA designated Airbus Safran Launchers as lead contractor for the development of Ariane 6. The agency’s objective is to enhance design commonality between Ariane 6 and Vega launchers. By January 2016, the preliminary design phase was completed, advancing into detailed engineering and manufacturing stages. Arianespace placed an initial order on 6 May 2019 for 14 Ariane 6 rockets scheduled for missions spanning from 2022 through 2025. The inaugural flight of Ariane 6 occurred on 9 July 2024.
ArianeGroup is also working on Ariane Next, a partially reusable launcher intended to succeed Ariane 6 during the 2030s, with goals to halve launch expenses.
MaiaSpace
Established in 2021 as an ArianeGroup subsidiary, MaiaSpace is a French enterprise focused on creating a small reusable launch vehicle by 2026. The rocket, named Maia, is engineered to transport payloads of up to 500 kilograms into Sun-synchronous orbit. It utilizes Prometheus engines—three on its first stage and one on the upper stage. Its architecture resembles SpaceX's Falcon 9, incorporating landing legs designed for recovery either on offshore platforms or terrestrial pads. Launch operations are planned from Europe’s Guiana Spaceport located in Kourou, French Guiana.
Missiles
ArianeGroup acts as the prime contractor for the M51 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) deployed by the French Navy. Responsibilities include development, production, system maintenance, disposal processes, and delivery of both terrestrial infrastructure and submarine command systems. In May 2016, Airbus and Safran agreed that ArianeGroup would upgrade the M51 missile to the M51.3 standard.
In January 2019, ArianeGroup revealed plans to develop the V-Max hypersonic glide vehicle with an anticipated delivery date in 2021. This initiative establishes France as the first European country to create indigenous hypersonic weaponry.
Orbital Propulsion Systems
The Orbital Propulsion Centre in Lampoldshausen, Germany—a division of ArianeGroup—functions as Europe’s hub for spacecraft propulsion expertise. It provides complete propulsion systems along with subsystems and components for satellites; orbital and interplanetary spacecraft; re-entry vehicles; resupply missions to the International Space Station; and supplies thrusters for NASA/ESA’s Orion European Service Module. The majority of ESA satellites and spacecraft incorporate propulsion elements produced at this facility.