Europe’s newest rocket Ariane 6 has an upper stage engine, Vinci, that can restart up to four more times once in space!
This allows Ariane 6 to reach a larger range of orbits and deliver multiple payloads on a single launch.
Vinci does this using an auxiliary propulsion unit that heats up the same liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel used by the main engine. It then turns it into gas that is expelled from the upper stage to provide a small amount of thrust. The effect is barely noticeable, but the forces are just enough to keep the liquid fuel at the bottom of the tank and ready for reignition.
📹 ESA – European Space Agency
📸 ESA – European Space Agency
#ESA #Ariane6 #Rocket
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