Solid propulsion

Ninety percent of the extraordinary thrust which enables the Ariane 5 launcher to leave its launch pad and lift off into the sky above French Guiana comes from two imposing boosters, each containing 237 tonnes of solid propellant.  These boosters are partially manufactured and fully assembled in French Guiana, in the Booster Area of CSG.

This file retraces the steps involved in manufacturing a solid booster stage (EAP) in French Guiana, from casting the propellant mixture to integrating the entire stage.

These operations take place in the Guiana Propellant Plant (UPG), the Booster Storage Building (BSE) and the Booster Integration Building (BIP). Three companies, Regulus, Europropulsion and EADS-ST link up to operate the facility's unique production line.