Status and Future Stakes for the ARIANE 5 Launch System
- Paper number
IAC-07-D2.1.06
- Author
Mr. Bernard Chemoul, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Toni Tolker-Nielsen, European Space Agency/Headquarters, France
- Year
2007
- Abstract
The launcher ARIANE 5 ECA is the workhorse of Europe to ensure a guaranteed access to space. This launcher has been successfully operated more than 2 years. The results of flights highlight the good level of technical maturity achieved by this launch system. As the matter of fact, at each flight, the data recorded are very close to the predictions and no major anomaly is recorded. Moreover, the last improvement such as the change of booster case technology from clevis – tang joints to welded joints, which give a significant gain in performance, has flown successfully, in conformity with the prediction. This paper will present the generic qualification achieved by analysis and ground test and confirmed by flight results, complementary activities to enlarge the flight domain to cover any mission foreseen in the top level specification, and the demonstrated reliability of ARIANE 5, which is very satisfying growing up faster than the other launchers. Supported by these encouraging results, the objective of the present programmes is to reinforce the reliability, the availability and the reactivity of the launch system to face the customer needs. So in the frame of ACEP and ARTA programme works are implemented for reliability purposes consisting in actions to improve the knowledge of the launcher behaviour level, expertise and tests on units taken in the production flow and increasing of robustness of some components. Some investments are also foreseen in order to upgrade and secure the production means targeting a high availability rate of the launch system, in this context the production rate should be increased from 6 to 7 launchers a year to respond to the market pressure from 2008 onwards. Furthermore, some complementary developments for short and mid term are necessary to cope with the needs of some specific but important mission like the launch of ATV cargo for ISS or the GALILEO constellation. The adaptation to the market need is vital for the ARIANE 5 launch system. So for long term, namely around 2013, it is contemplated some evolutions to increase the performance and to offer a capability of multi boost for the upper stage with a reduced cost. The objective is to propose an upgraded launch system capitalizing on the experience feedback and the reliability of the present qualified launch system. Consequently, the envisaged evolution will mainly be focused on the improvement of the upper stage keeping, as much as possible, the lower part of the launcher with a configuration close to the present one. This paper will present the different options which are under analysis between a new cryogenic upper stage (VENUS: Versatile European New Upper Stage) powered by an Expander Cycle LOX/LH2 re-ignitable engine or the implementation a Fourth storable upper stage for offering re-ignition capabilities (Kick Stage). These analyses are made in the context of the preparation of a programme proposal for the next ESA Council at ministerial level foreseen in 2008.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-D2.1.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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