Ariane 6 rocket launched thanks to Czech companies

The European Space Agency's (ESA) Ariane 6 launch rocket lifted off for the first time on Tuesday evening, 9 July, at 21:00 CET. Czech businesses have also contributed significantly to this launch thanks to ESA's Ariane and Vega Development programme.
 

• ATC Space s.r.o. manufactures the lower ring and upper ring assembly of the P120C accelerator engine and also supplies milled parts for the main stage assembly – this is the largest set of space hardware ever produced in the Czech Republic and also the largest business opportunity in the field of space activities. In the full operation of Ariane 6 this will amount to billions of crowns in turnover.
• Výzkumný a zkušební letecký ústav a.s. (VZLÚ) worked on strength analyses of the launcher structure and, in particular, performed a series of strength tests of the solid fuel rocket engine.
• Iguassu Software Systems s.r.o. worked on the on-board software, which manages telemetry when the transmission rate drops, and on the software for the ground segment, responsible for transmitting telemetry to the control and command centre. 
• UNEX a.s. supplied a set of 16 massive chassis, on top of which stands a giant assembly hall in which the entire rocket is assembled directly on the launch pad and which will travel a few dozen meters away from the launch pad only a few hours before the launch. 
• MCE Slaný s.r.o. produced a flame deflector located directly under the rocket engines, which diverts the flames into two giant exhaust ducts by a set of reflective surfaces and thus protects the rocket during launch.

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