Ariane 5
With WACKER in Space
Copyright: EADS Astrium, A. Ribeiro Gamma
Europe’s state-of-the-art launch vehicle, Ariane 5, carries many satellites into orbit. It was developed in a cooperative effort by many researchers: engineers, physicists, electronics specialists – as well as WACKER chemists, who supply an adhesive that is indispensable for the latest Ariane 5 rocket generation.
The launcher integration building is where the Ariane 5’s individual sections are assembled. Copyright: ESA/CNES/Arianespace, Crédit Photo: CSG Service Optique
The launcher integration building is where the Ariane 5’s individual sections are assembled. Copyright: ESA/CNES/Arianespace, Crédit Photo: CSG Service Optique
A European launch rocket of the Ariane 5 type takes off from Kourou (French Guiana) every couple of months. Most of these rockets carry satellites managing an ever-increasing number of terrestrial tasks. Without satellites, we would have neither weather forecasts nor navigation systems, many radio and television channels could not be received, and telephone and internet would not have their present-day capabilities.
In mid-May, an Ariane 5 placed two valuable telescopes, the “Herschel” and “Planck,” in orbit. This was possible only with the latest rocket version, which is more powerful than the earlier models. With its greater takeoff thrust, provided by two solid-fuel rocket boosters, it can carry much heavier payloads.
After the adhesive from WACKER's ELASTOSIL® RT product line has been applied, special tools are used to affix the cable ducts to the boosters. Copyright: Europropulsion.
After the adhesive from WACKER's ELASTOSIL® RT product line has been applied, special tools are used to affix the cable ducts to the boosters. Copyright: Europropulsion.
A Technology Leap Thanks to WACKER
For this reason, the developers had to completely redesign the adhesive bond between the steel case of the boosters and the resin cable ducts. The adhesive used for the earlier models would not have been reliable enough for the new Ariane 5.
The experts eventually decided on a silicone rubber from WACKER SILICONES’ ELASTOSIL® RT line – not something that was especially developed for the European launch vehicle, but a tried-and-tested WACKER product.
An Ariane 5 rocket being launched from the Kourou space center in French Guiana. Copyright: Arianespace
An Ariane 5 rocket being launched from the Kourou space center in French Guiana. Copyright: Arianespace
It consists of two components: a liquid silicone that is condensation-cured by a catalyst at room temperature into a shiny, black rubber-elastic material. Our T 77 catalyst was chosen for the job. Alongside its user-friendly processing time of up to 20 minutes,
this particular silicone rubber enjoys the advantage of bonding to unprimed steel. “The use of this silicone rubber represented a technological improvement for the Ariane 5,” said Yann Procureur, WACKER SILICONES’ sales manager at Wacker Chimie S. A. S. in Lyon.
