Ariane 6

Ariane 6 launchpad and supply mast / movement of launchpad on September 04, 2018

The associated launch facility ELA 4 is currently being built for the new “Ariane 6” European launch vehicle, which will go into operation in 2020.

Part of this new launch system is the launchpad and the supply mast. Donges SteelTec GmbH has been commissioned to handle both subprojects.

All the sections of the launchpad and the supply mast were fabricated in the Donges plant. In order to ensure sufficient accuracy, the launchpad was completely designed and the sections of the supply mast were stacked in pairs. Subsequently, the components were transported by truck and ship to Kourou, French Guyana.

Currently, the welding work on the launchpad is being carried out on a pre-assembly area at the construction site in Kourou. The move of the start table from the pre-assembly area to the end position is planned on September 04, 2018. The installation of the supply mast will follow in mid-September.

Technical information

Launchpad as a steel box girder construction with the dimensions: 20 x 18 x 3.80 m
Dead load: approx. 740 t
Launchpad as a steel construction with the dimensions: 6.50 x 6.50 x 60 m
Dead load: approx. 450 t
Owner: European Space Agency (ESA)