Vinci
ArianeGroup's Vinci is the Ariane 6 upper-stage cryogenic LOX/LH2 engine. ArianeGroup describes its expander cycle, approximately 180 kN thrust, multiple-ignition capability, and upper-stage flexibility for clustered payload insertion; ESA records 18 tonnes vacuum thrust and 465 s specific impulse and notes a final restart for controlled upper-stage disposal. ArianeGroup's flight-model production and integration work support active status.
Identity
- Domains
- spaceflight
- Identity Level
- model
- Kind
- liquid-rocket-engine
- Name
- Vinci
- Status
- active
Details
- Description
- ArianeGroup's Vinci is the Ariane 6 upper-stage cryogenic LOX/LH2 engine. ArianeGroup describes its expander cycle, approximately 180 kN thrust, multiple-ignition capability, and upper-stage flexibility for clustered payload insertion; ESA records 18 tonnes vacuum thrust and 465 s specific impulse and notes a final restart for controlled upper-stage disposal. ArianeGroup's flight-model production and integration work support active status.
- Propellants
- liquid hydrogenliquid oxygen
- Rocket Specs
- Cycle
- expander
- Restartable
- Yes
- Vacuum Specific Impulse S
- 465
- Vacuum Thrust Kn
- 180
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 1, 2026 at 08:05:17 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 15, 2026 at 04:05:47 UTC
Other
- Sources
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-01
- Note
- ESA identifies Vinci as the Ariane 6 upper-stage engine and distinguishes it from the Vulcain 2.1 core engine and P120C boosters.
- Publisher
- European Space Agency
- Title
- All engines for Ariane 6 complete qualification tests
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-01
- Note
- ESA documents the restartable Vinci upper-stage engine and its liquid-hydrogen/liquid-oxygen propellants.
- Publisher
- European Space Agency
- Title
- Ariane 6: what's it made of?
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-01
- Note
- ArianeGroup identifies Vinci as the upper-stage engine in the Ariane 6 architecture.
- Publisher
- ArianeGroup
- Title
- Ariane 6, a versatile launcher for all missions
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-14
- Note
- ArianeGroup's propulsion page identifies Vinci as an approximately 180 kN expander-cycle LOX/LH2 upper-stage engine with multiple ignition capability and an Ariane 6 payload-placement role.
- Publisher
- ArianeGroup
- Title
- Propulsion systems for launchers
- Accessed Date
- 2026-08-14
- Note
- ArianeGroup reports production of the first Vinci flight-model combustion chamber after more than 120 successful development tests, supporting active production/integration context.
- Publisher
- ArianeGroup
- Title
- ArianeGroup starts production of the first flight model for the Vinci engine combustion chamber