Ariane Group

In January 2015, two aerospace giants - Airbus and Safran - made a strategic decision that would reshape Europe's space capabilities. They merged their civil and defence space launcher activities to create ArianeGroup, building on a legacy that began in 1973 when European space ministers approved the development of the Ariane rocket. The founders recognized a critical gap: Europe needed independent, reliable access to space to maintain its sovereignty and security in an increasingly competitive global arena. They envisioned a company that could combine cutting-edge innovation with industrial excellence, delivering launch systems that would put Europe at the forefront of space exploration and defence.

Today, ArianeGroup stands as the industrial leader in European space transportation, with 8,300 highly qualified employees across 13 sites in France, Germany, and French Guiana. The company develops and manufactures the Ariane 6 launcher for the European Space Agency, the M51 strategic missile for France's oceanic deterrent force, and a broad range of space and defence equipment. From cryogenic propulsion systems to composite materials, from hypersonic systems to space surveillance technologies, ArianeGroup's expertise spans the full spectrum of civil and military space applications. The company continues to push boundaries, developing reusable launchers through its subsidiary MaiaSpace and pioneering hydrogen technologies that benefit sectors beyond aerospace. ArianeGroup is more than a rocket maker - it is the guardian of Europe's autonomous access to space, ensuring that the continent can reach the stars on its own terms, for the benefit of all people on Earth.