Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICTDevelopment from Fraunhofer ICT launches space flight of Ariane 6
Pfinztal, Germany - July 12, 2024 - The Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT congratulates the Dutch company Aerospace Propulsion Products (APP), as part of the Ariane Group, on the successful first launch of the Ariane 6 rocket on the evening of July 9th, 2024 from the European Spaceport in French Guiana. Fraunhofer ICT supplied phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate as a fuel to ignite the liquid propellant.
Bernd Brauers, Chief Operations Officer of APP, wrote in a letter: "To finally see that all parts come together from a development which started 10 years ago is an incredible and exceptional moment." With the launch of Ariane 6, Europe has regained autonomous access to space - a result that everyone involved can be proud of.
Fraunhofer ICT was one of the organizations involved: the igniter for the liquid propellant of the Ariane 6 rocket uses phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate, which was developed and produced in Fraunhofer ICT’s laboratories. Phase stabilization - with nickel oxide in the case of the Ariane 6 igniter - makes the oxidizing substance less sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
"I am delighted that Fraunhofer ICT is playing a key role in this important European project," says Thomas Heintz, Project Group Leader for Particle Technology in the Energetic Materials division at Fraunhofer ICT. "Our institute flew to space, although only in spirit: as soon as Ariane 6 takes off, our job is done."
