P160C
| Manufacturer | Europropulsion |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Italy France European Union |
| Used on | Ariane 6 (Block 2) Vega C+ Vega E |
| Derived from | P120C |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In development |
| Technical details | |
| Height | 14.38 m (47 ft 2 in) |
| Diameter | 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) |
| Propellant mass | 167,000 kg (368,000 lb) |
| Maximum thrust | 4,700 kN (1,100,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | HTPB / AP / Al |
The P160C is a solid-fuel rocket motor developed for use as the first stage of the Vega C+ mid-life upgrade, the next-generation Vega E, and as strap-on boosters for the Ariane 6 Block 2 launch vehicles. It was developed by Europropulsion, a joint venture between Avio and ArianeGroup, for the European Space Agency (ESA). The designation "P160C" reflects key characteristics of the motor: "P" stands for poudre (French for 'powder'), referencing its solid propellant; "160" denoted the original target of 160 tonnes of propellant (later increased to 167 tonnes); and "C" signifies its common use across multiple launch systems.
The motor was developed largely in response to the increased lift performance requirements of Project Kuiper, Amazon’s satellite internet constellation. Compared to its predecessor, the P120C, the P160C adds an additional 14 tonnes (31,000 lb) of solid propellant and is 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) taller. The motor's casing is constructed as a single-piece carbon-fibre composite shell, making it one of the most powerful monolithic solid rocket motors in production worldwide.