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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.

Ariane 6

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.

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 6
Ariane 6
© ArianeGroup Holding \ Pagecran
Ariane 5 ECA
Ariane 5 ECA
Ariane 5 ECA
© ESA-CNES-AE / CSG Service Optique - S. MARTIN
Space equipement - Safran Aero Boosters - VGC2 - Vulcain engine.
Space equipement - Safran Aero Boosters - VGC2 - Vulcain engine.
Space equipement - Safran Aero Boosters - VGC2 - Vulcain engine.
© Béa Uhart / CAPA Pictures / Safran
Integration hall on the upper floors of Ariane 6 in Bremen
Integration hall on the upper floors of Ariane 6 in Bremen
Integration hall on the upper floors of Ariane 6 in Bremen
© ESA / CNES / Arianespace
Space design office - Safran Aero Boosters.
Space design office - Safran Aero Boosters.
Space design office - Safran Aero Boosters.
© Béa Uhart / CAPA Pictures / Safran

Discover Safran Electronics & Defense Space Division

Safran for Space – Powering every mission : 03 minutes and 40 seconds
Assembly of thruster in cleanroom

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.

No. 1
in Europe for satellite plasma propulsion
PPS®1350
PPS®1350
PPS®1350
© Vincent Colin / CAPA Pictures / Safran
Primary mirror lightening work
Primary mirror lightening work
Primary mirror lightening work
© Travail d'allègement de miroir primaire
Assembly in clean room: operation of bonding XFC PPS®5000
Assembly in clean room: operation of bonding XFC PPS®5000
Assembly in clean room: operation of bonding XFC PPS®5000
© Philippe Stroppa / Safran
Antenne Orion1300

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 WeTrackTM system for the surveillance and tracking of objects in orbit is an unrivaled solution for space situational awareness and communications.

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 / electronic board testing
CORTEX integration platform / electronic board testing
© Adrien Daste / Safran
CORTEX integration platform
CORTEX integration platform
CORTEX integration platform
© Adrien Daste / Safran
CORTEX integration platform
CORTEX integration platform
CORTEX integration platform
© Adrien Daste / Safran
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.

No. 1
worldwide in high-performance space optics
Femtosecond miror for the giant Apollon laser
Femtosecond miror for the giant Apollon laser
Femtosecond miror for the giant Apollon laser
© Christel Sasso / CAPA Pictures / Safran The Apollon laser is a French high-intensity…
Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope
Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope
Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope
© Cyril Abad / CAPA Pictures / Safran
Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope
Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope
Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope
© Cyril Abad / CAPA Pictures / Safran
Metrology
Metrology
Metrology
© Christel Sasso / CAPA Pictures / Safran Adjustment of the alignment of a part on an…
Spectrophotometric measurements
Spectrophotometric measurements
Spectrophotometric measurements
© Christel Sasso / CAPA Pictures / Safran The Safran Reosc teams use spectrophotometry to…
SAF2020_0333667
Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope
Nouvelle usine 4.0 destinée à la production des segments du miroir primaire M1 de l’Extremely Large Telescope
© Cyril Abad / CAPA Pictures / Safran
  • Maps are available under the Open Database Licence.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors.
  • © Free-Lance's / Safran
  • © Cyril Abad / CAPA Pictures / Safran
  • © Christel Sasso / CAPA Pictures / Safran
  • © Cyril Abad / CAPA Pictures / Safran
  • © Adrien Daste / Safran
  • © Adrien Daste / Safran
  • © Travail d'allègement de miroir primaire
  • © Vincent Colin / CAPA Pictures / Safran
  • © Philippe Stroppa / Safran
  • © ESA / CNES / Arianespace
  • © Béa Uhart / CAPA Pictures / Safran
  • © ESA-CNES-AE / CSG Service Optique - S. MARTIN
  • © ArianeGroup Holding \ Pagecran
  • © ArianeGroupe / Pagécran
  • © iStockphoto