The next evolution and upgrade of the solid rocket motor that propels both Vega-C and Ariane 6 launchers off the launch pad was tested at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 24 April 2025 on the solid-propellant booster test stand (BEAP) operated by the French Space Agency (CNES).
Firing for over two minutes the P160C completed the full hot-fire test expending all its solid-propellant as it will on a launch.
After ignition P160C delivered a maximum thrust of about 4700 kN, as expected for liftoff and the first phase of flight. According to initial recorded data, the performance met expectations. A full analysis of these test results and inspection of all components will confirm the design and provide the main justification elements for the rocket motor qualification for flight.
P160C is the larger version of the P120C rocket motor that is used as a booster for Ariane 6 and as a first stage motor for Vega-C. P160C holds 167 tonnes of solid propellant, 14 more than P120C and is a meter taller.
The P160C will allow Ariane 6 and Vega-C to launch heavier payloads and to different orbits and destinations, and it is also set to be used on the next generation in the Vega rocket family called Vega-E. The rocket motor is one of the most powerful one-piece motors in production in the world, the shell is wound in one go with a carbon-fibre composite.
The “P” in its name stands for “Powder”, as the 3.4-m cylinder houses solid propellant. The number 160 designates the 160 tonnes of propellant inside, and the C stands for “Common” as the motor is used on the two launchers.
P160C is developed by Europropulsion under contract from ArianeGroup and Avio who are developing the Ariane 6 launcher systems and Vega launcher systems for ESA. The recent test was on qualification model 3 (QM3), continuing the naming from the three models of P120C testing: a development model (DM); a first qualification model (QM1) configured for Vega-C; and a second qualification model (QM2) configured for Ariane 6.
France’s space agency CNES conducted the static fire test on the solid rocket motor test stand at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.