ArianeGroup / organization
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 5 factsmanufacturerFranceactive
ArianeGroup Holding is jointly owned (50%/50%) by Airbus and Safran, and was founded in 2016 through the merger of its shareholders' civil and defence space launch systems activities. The group operates through two national subsidiaries, ArianeGroup SAS in France and ArianeGroup GmbH in Germany.
vehicles
faq
What is ArianeGroup?
ArianeGroup focuses on Launch vehicles and space and defence propulsion systems. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
Where is ArianeGroup based?
ArianeGroup is based in France. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
When was ArianeGroup founded?
ArianeGroup was founded in 2016. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
countryFrance
founded2016
focusLaunch vehicles and space and defence propulsion systems
statusactive
websiteariane.group
events
- notable2026-08-20ESA confirms it has shelved the Ariane 6 Block 3 upgrade
- notable2026-08-10ESA says Europe faces a launcher shortage around 2030
- notable2026-08-05CNES sets 2028 target for reusable heavy-lift engine hot-fire test
- notable2026-08-03ArianeGroup keeps MaiaSpace alive despite negative shareholders' equity
- notable2026-07-30ArianeGroup completes wet dress rehearsal of reusable Themis demonstrator
- notable2026-07-08Beyond Gravity signs deal for 27 Ariane 6 payload fairings
- noise2026-06-30MaiaSpace weighs fourth engine for Maia rocket
- notable2026-06-25ArianeGroup keeps MaiaSpace operating despite negative equity
- notable2026-06-17Ariane 6 debuts P160C boosters on VA269, lofting 36 Amazon Leo satellites in a record
timeline
- 20242024-07-09Ariane 6 completes successful inaugural launch (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 20232023-07-05Ariane 5 flies its final mission (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 20222022ArianeGroup sets up MaiaSpace to develop a reusable mini-launcher (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 20172017-06-01Airbus Safran Launchers renames itself ArianeGroup (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 20162016-11-09Airbus Safran Launchers and ESA sign 2.4 billion euro Ariane 6 program confirmation (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 2016-06-29Airbus and Safran finalize Airbus Safran Launchers 50/50 joint venture (source, as of 2026-07-05)
- 20152015-08-12Airbus Safran Launchers signs initial Ariane 6 development agreement with ESA (source, as of 2026-07-05)