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ALCAN CONTRIBUTES TO SUCCESS OF EIGHTH ARIANE 5 ECA LAUNCH
Alcan has contributed to the success of the latest Ariane 5 ECA launch by supplying SNECMA PROPULSION SOLIDE, the prime contractor of Astrium Space Transportation, a new advanced solution for very large housings. The housings are part of the rocket’s booster engine nozzle and critical in enabling its flight and control during vertical launch. The Ariane 5 ECA blasted off from Europe’s Space port in French Guiana on a mission to place two telecommunications satellites into geostationary transfer orbits. "This successful mission reaffirms Alcan’s leading position as key supplier of innovative and reliable solutions for aerospace applications," said Jean-Philippe Caël, President Aerospace, Transportation and Industry. "Alcan is proud to co-develop groundbreaking solutions with its customers, taking advantage of the Company’s unique wide range of products, in this case of premium aluminum castings." Alcan’s premium aluminum castings, made of high strength alloys combined with tight process controls, were selected as part of a cost saving solution, when compared to previous forged and welded pieces. Alcan developed these aluminum housings using digital channel innovative tools in the co-design phase, such as stress calculation and solidification simulation. Booster engine housings are produced at Alcan’s Ussel facility in France, a recognized leader in the production of high-quality aluminum castings for aerospace, aeronautical and transportation applications. Alcan supplies some of the world’s largest aerospace manufactures, such as EADS, SAFRAN including SPS, Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Dassault, and Pilatus with advanced aluminum solutions from its manufacturing facilities in Europe and North America.
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