The Italian
company FiatAvio and Volvo Aero have signed a contract covering the
manufacture of LOX turbines for an additional four Vulcain 1 and 19
Vulcain 2 engines. Deliveries will begin during 2001 and are scheduled
to be completed in 2003.
Including this agreement, Volvo Aero has received orders for 17
nozzles and turbines for the Vulcain 1 engine and contracts covering
development and manufacture of nozzles and LH2 and LOX turbines for
the Vulcain 2 engine.
The Vulcain engine powers the main stage of the Ariane 5 launch
vehicle. The Ariane 5 was first launched in 1996 and is now
commercially available. A heavy launcher version of the Ariane 5 will
be launched during 2002 with an upgraded Vulcain 2 engine. The Vulcain
2 will increase the maximum lift of the Ariane 5, adding more than 800
kilograms of payload capacity to the launcher’s geostationary transfer
orbit.
One of the areas in which Volvo Aero specializes is the
development and manufacture of turbines for rocket engines. Experience
gained from the turbines for the LH2 and LOX for all versions of the
Vulcain has made it possible for Volvo Aero to become a “Center of
Excellence” in Europe for turbines for rocket engines.
Among other results, this experience facilitated a reduction in
costs. Based on earlier technology, the new turbine would have been
30-35 percent more expensive than the turbine developed.
For more information, please contact Bjorn Astrand, head of Volvo
Aero Space Propulsion Division, +46 705 690 451.
