Technip has won an engineering contract for the expansion of the boosters plant for the Ariane 5 satellites launcher. This propellant plant (UPG) is located within the complex for preparation and launching of Ariane 5 in the space centre of Kourou, in the equatorial forest of French Guyana. Ariane 5 takes off by means of two boosters of 237 m/tons each generating a thrust of 540 m/tons with a burn time of 130 seconds propelling the launcher to an altitude of 60 km. The booster is composed of 3 segments. This UPG plant, which fills up the middle and third segments of the booster with propellant, is designed to produce the equivalent of 22 segments per year. Its expansion aims at reaching an annual production equivalent to 32 segments (allowing 8 launchings per year). The expansion mainly consists of the erection of a second building equipped with a casting-curing facility, designed eventually to include a second facility (for a target of 10 launchings per year). Technip will carry out the engineering, procurement of the process equipment and utilities as well as the supervision of erection and start-up.
