Testing for space travel Ariane 5, the European space rocket, can transport a payload of up to 18 tons into orbit. The payload panelling is manufactured by RUAG Space in Switzerland. It is jettisoned at an altitude of 110 kilometers, as soon as the air resistance can no longer damage the rocket. But until then it must stand firm. Empa tested the 14 meter-structure in its hall in DĂźbendorf. Ariane 5 was successfully launched for its maiden voyage in 1997.
Ariane structure test
2003
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Focus: 50 years of Empa DĂźbendorf
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Natural gas turbocharger Natural gas cars of the 1990s used natural aspiration and had low torque – until Empa came into play: A VW Polo with a 37 kW engine was converted to natural gas. The initial output was 31 kW. Later on, different pistons with greater compression and a turbocharger increased power to 44 kW. CO2 emissions were also reduced. Today natural gas turbocharged cars are available from VW, Opel and Fiat.
Natural gas research car: VW Polo