Vinci is the upper stage engine for the Ariane 5 rocket. We are a part of the European team of companies developing the Vinci rocket engine. We supply several of the engine's key parts, such as the hydrogen turbine and the oxygen turbine.
Vinci is the first closed cycle rocket engine developed in Europe. The engine uses an expander cycle in which hydrogen fuel cools the thrust chamber before driving first the hydrogen turbopump and then the oxygen turbopump. The hydrogen and oxygen pumps are powered by single-stage axial subsonic high-performance LH2 and LOX turbines respectively.
Volvo Aero has been subcontracted by Snecma Moteurs, France for the LH2 turbine and by Fiat Avio, Italy for the LOX turbine. We are responsible for turbine development, manufacture and qualification. This includes development of test