Ariane 5 Launcher missions and evolutions over the next decade

Paper number

IAC-08.D2.4.3

Author

Mrs. Catherine Poincheval, EADS Astrium Space Transportation, France

Coauthor

Mrs. Fabienne Ramiandrasoa, EADS Astrium Space Transportation, France

Coauthor

Mr. Richard Pitt, Astrium GmbH, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. David Iranzo-Greus, Astrium Space Transportation, France

Year

2008

Abstract

Ariane 5, in its 10t-class heavy lift version, has proved to be the Arianespace workhorse for the benefit of the commercial operators and Space Agencies interested in their institutional and scientific oriented missions. After a successful return to flight in 2005, Ariane 5 launch rate has found its standard pace, demonstrating that the industrialisation process is now fully operational; moreover, thanks to its dual launch capability, the Ariane 5 System launched yet again in 2007, more spacecraft than its competitors. This success has led to a higher demand and an increase in launch rate is foreseen for 2008.


In parallel to the stabilization of the current launcher configuration for the next decade, the European Space Transportation industry together with the Space Agencies are also studying the best options for responding to the short-term market needs, such as the deployment of the Galileo constellation.


In order to keep the competitive advantage of the Ariane 5 launcher by anticipating market needs, the Space agencies and the European industry have been working on the definition of the necessary evolutions of the launcher in the next decade for which key decisions should be taken in 2008. Astrium Space Transportation together with its industrial partners proposes a mid-term evolution of the Ariane 5 launcher, aiming at improving the performances.


This paper will provide a comprehensive overview of the evolutions of the Ariane 5 System over the next decade to cope with the new missions requested by private and public customers: higher GTO performance, direct GEO injection, Galileo deployment, LEO-ISS missions, exploration missions, etc.

Abstract document

IAC-08.D2.4.3.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.D2.4.3.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.