The P120C - the largest monolithic carbon-fiber solid rocket motor (SRM) in the world - is loaded with 142 tons of propellant and it will equip the boosters of both Ariane 62 and Ariane 64 and the Vega-C first stage ; 35 motors to be produced annually.
The solid rocket motor consists of two principal parts:
- The first is the structural casing, built by Avio and made of carbon fiber (filament-winding, automated fabric layup pre-impregnated epoxy sheets).
-The second part is the nozzle, built by ArianeGroup and made of various composite materials, including carbon/carbon.
The P120C, co-developed by ArianeGroup and Avio, on behalf of their 50/50 joint venture Europropulsion. The program for the development of Ariane 6 and Vega-C was decided on at the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council in 2014.