ArianeGroup selected by the French Space Agency, CNES, to prepare technologies for next-generation high performance engines

On June 17, 2025, ArianeGroup signed a contract with the French Space Agency (CNES) in order to prepare and validate the technologies for a new generation of very high thrust engines.

As part of its tender process, the French Space Agency, CNES, has awarded a contract to ArianeGroup for the development of a next-generation very high thrust engine fueled by liquid oxygen and methane (methalox).

Efforts will focus on developing the key technologies and components for this new generation of engines, using full-flow staged combustion cycle technology for the very first time in Europe.

A hot-fire test campaign of two engine demonstrators will then be performed to fine-tune and validate the technologies developed.

This contract follows an initial phase of designing the first demonstrator which is currently in production at ArianeGroup’s site in Vernon. The initial test campaign is scheduled for 2026.

Aiming to reach between 200 and 300 tons of thrust, the new engine will be twice as powerful as the current Vulcain 2.1 main stage engine that propels Ariane 6.

“Under this new contract, ArianeGroup will be preparing the space technologies of the future, and expanding its range of liquid propulsion engines. In the evolving launcher market, payload capacity requirements are increasing. Launch vehicles will be bigger, and their engines more powerful. In anticipation of this need, ArianeGroup’s engineers are leveraging the company’s fantastic legacy in liquid propulsion technology to overcome today’s technical obstacles and develop the next-generation high-thrust engine for tomorrow’s heavy-lift launchers,” explains Valérie De Korver, VP Head of Liquid Propulsion Programs at ArianeGroup.