From the Failure to the Success - The Return to Flight of the ARIANE 5 ECA Launcher
- Paper number
IAC-05-D2.2.08
- Author
Mr. Séverin Drogoul, EADS Corporate Quality Office, France
- Year
2005
- Abstract
In December 11th, 2002: 7mn 36s after takeoff of Ariane 5 ECA, the Guiana Space Centre commands the destruction of the European launcher, while it is only in 69 km in height. One month after that a Proton mishap and two months before the dramatic disappearance of the shuttle Columbia, the failure of the flight 517 reminds that the space industry remains a sector of high technology where the risks are as high as the stakes. How to bounce after such a disappointment? How have we transitioned from a situation of failure to the success? What measures were taken to identify the causes, to imagine solutions, to validate them and to achieve the necessary qualifications? Which are the various milestones having marked out, the road of return in flight of the Ariane 5 ECA launcher. During the past years, space activities have suffered major failures some of them being spectacular and even catastrophic (Columbia), some other being less known but impacting commercial operations in Telecommunication Satellites or demonstration launches. In most cases recovery plans have been implemented and a return to operations has been achieved with improved quality, thanks to lessons learned. A point of view from European launchers shall be addressed. For an Ariane 5 ECA successful return to flight, inquiry boards have been implemented and important recovery plans have been decided and put in place. This paper shall focus on: •Management of the failure after their occurrence; •Re-planning of activities, inquiry commissions; •Recovery plans: process to return to flight and normal operations; •Lessons learned: how a good analysis of the failure contributing to improve the Ariane 5 launcher.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-D2.2.08.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.