Ariane 5 Program Status
- Paper number
IAC-09.D2.1.7
- Author
Mr. Denis Schmitt, Arianespace, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Louis Laurent, Arianespace, France
- Year
2009
- Abstract
Ariane 5 ECA is now operated by Arianespace since four years and delivers a steady and reliable service which guarantees access to space to European governments and an effective and reliable launch service & solutions to Arianespace commercial customers. The paper will present the results of recent flights, the program status with the way Arianespace organizes this industrialised phase and the future of Ariane 5 ECA production with the signature of a long term contract. While focusing on Ariane 5 activities, the paper will describe how Arianespace is getting ready to operate the European family of launch vehicles constituted by Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega. 1. Recent flights results Since the beginning of 2008, 7 Ariane 5 have been successfully launched, bringing to 29 the number of successful Ariane 5 flights in a row, including 17 Ariane 5 ECA. The current objective for 2009 is set to 7 launches. The paper will describe the results of the last Ariane 5 flights with a particular emphasis on the specific ESA mission for Herschel-Planck observatory. The major launch campaign and flight events will be presented with their lessons learnt. 2. Program status Arianespace technical policy remains to consolidate Ariane 5 production by quality continuous improvement and configuration stabilization. A set of relevant quality indicators is used to drive this technical policy. Some of them will be presented in the paper and a first efficiency diagnostic will be given. 3. A long term production contract Signed between Arianespace and its industrial supplier at the end of January 2009, the batch PB contract follows the PA one with the ordering of 35 Ariane 5 ECA providing European industry with 5 additional years of activities. The main characteristics of PB contract will be presented. 4. The European family of launch vehicles Aside the now well established Ariane 5 ECA, 2009 will be an important year for the Arianespace operated European family of launchers with the final steps of the Soyuz at CSG development and the preparation of Vega qualification flight. The paper will briefly describe the status of these developments and Arianespace family policy.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-09.D2.1.7.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.