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Space

Exploring the infinite resources of space and mastering technologies is a key challenge on the political, economic, industrial and cultural levels. For more than 50 years now, Safran has developed and coordinated a wide range of enabling technologies for rocket propulsion systems, high-performance space optics and modular radio-frequency systems to control satellites and space probes, among other things.

Launch vehicles

Safran has continuously shaped the future of space access over the last 40 years by developing propulsion systems that set the standard in cost and performance for the successive versions of the Ariane launch vehicle : up to 10,700 kilos into GTO, orbiting at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers (about 22,500 miles). Satellites are now indispensable for a wide range of applications, whether commercial (telecommunications, television, Internet access, etc.), scientific (space exploration, Earth observation, resource management, etc.), dual application (geolocation) or defense (surveillance, etc.). ArianeGroup (the 50/50 joint company between Safran and Airbus) is now prime contractor for Europe’s Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launchers, with responsibility for design, production and marketing (via subsidiary Arianespace), as well as the missiles in France’s ocean-going nuclear deterrent force. Ariane 5 is the most reliable satellite launcher in the world, having set the record of more than 80 successful launches in a row.

Find out more about Ariane Group Find out more about Safran Aero Boosters

80 +

successful Ariane 5 launches in a row (in partnership with Airbus)

1,500

metric tons (3.3 million lb) liftoff thrust developed by Ariane 5

Ariane 6

Ariane 5 ECA

Space equipement - Safran Aero Boosters - VGC2 - Vulcain engine.

Integration hall on the upper floors of Ariane 6 in Bremen

Space design office - Safran Aero Boosters.

Discover Safran Electronics & Defense Space Division

Safran for Space – Powering every mission : 03 minutes and 40 seconds

Satellites

Safran designs and produces thrusters and propulsion subsystems for all phases of a satellite’s life, from orbital positioning to deorbiting. We’re a pioneer in electric propulsion, which helps reduce launch costs and environmental impact. Safran continously invests in research, while carrying out a wide range of studies for the French and European space agencies, to maintain our technological head start and support both commercial and scientific missions.

Find out more about Safran Spacecraft Propulsion

No. 1

in Europe for satellite plasma propulsion

PPS®1350

Primary mirror lightening work

Assembly in clean room: operation of bonding XFC PPS®5000

Ground stations

Safran designs and produces modular radio-frequency (RF) systems to control satellites and space probes (especially via our Cortex line of modems), as well as for telemetry from launch vehicles and observation satellite sensors. Our WeTrack^TM system for the surveillance and tracking of objects in orbit is an unrivaled solution for space situational awareness and communications.

Find out more about Safran Data Systems

No. 1

worldwide for modems for satellite stationkeeping and space probe control

No. 1

worldwide for high-speed data receiving systems for Earth observation and scientific satellites

CORTEX integration platform / electronic board testing

CORTEX integration platform

A new “Factory 4.0” to make primary mirror segments for the Extremely Large Telescope

Space optics

Safran offers a complete range of high-performance optics and high-precision opto-mechanical equipment, spanning design, production and integration, for satellites, large telescopes and high-energy lasers. In particular, we make mirrors for major astronomy programs, such as the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will be the most powerful optical telescope in the world when it enters service, and the Apollon giant laser.

Find out more about Safran Reosc

No. 1

worldwide in high-performance space optics

Femtosecond miror for the giant Apollon laser

Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope

Metrology

Spectrophotometric measurements

Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope

Maps are available under the Open Database Licence.
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