In the context of the current ESA European Launcher Ariane 5 Midlife Evolution program, a new upper stage is developed by Astrium ST in Bremen/Germany and a new engine is developed by Snecma (Safran group) in Vernon/France. Compared to the current cryogenic upper stage with the engine HM7-B, this new Vinci engine features an enhanced thrust and improved performance, associated to the utilization of the expander cycle. The core of the engine is the thrust chamber under development at Astrium's propulsion division in Ottobrunn/Germany. For highest performance the engine uses the cryogenic propellants oxygen and hydrogen. The design particularities as well as the achieved development status by analyses and tests is described in this paper.
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