Forty Years of French-German Cooperation in Space Propulsion

The year 2003 saw the celebration of the French-German Friendship Treaty, dated 23 January 1963 and also the 40th anniversary of French-German cooperation in space propulsion, a cooperation that was initiated by a forebear of Snecma - Space Engines Division. Beginning with the award to SEPR (Societe d'Etude de la Propulsion par Reaction) by ERNO (Entwicklungsring Nord or northern development circle) of Bremen of a contract for the development of a thrust chamber for the upper stage Astris of Europa 1 in 1963, a long and fruitful cooperation linked Villaroche, Vernon, Bremen, and Ottobrunn. The upper stage engine for Astris was designed and manufactured in Villaroche and delivered to Bremen for integration on the stage. Later, on Ariane, the second stage and the liquid boosters were developed by ERNO, with Viking engines and propulsion equipments developed by SEP (Societe Europeenne de Propulsion) in Vernon. Most of the development and qualification tests of this engine version were undertaken at the DLR (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. or German Aerospace Center) facility in Lampoldshausen, including vacuum tests. Forty years later, both countries cooperated on the Vulcain family development and on the two cryogenic upper stages for Ariane 5.