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THE LAUNCHER ARIANE 5 ECA

Berlin, ILA 2006, 17 May 2006

The launcher Ariane 5 ECA represents a major milestone for the European space industry. The new generation launcher was developed to keep pace with trends in the commercial launch market, especially larger and heavier satellites, and to satisfy governmental needs. Equipped with the Vulcain 2 main engine and with the new cryogenic upper stage ESC-A the launcher is capable of boosting up to 10 tonnes into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) for a single or dual launch (two satellites at once). Using a reignitable storable propellant upper stage it can also carry the ATV towards the International Space Station into low Earth orbit (LEO).

The increased-performance Ariane 5 ECA is now in full commercial service. The next ECA flight will take place in May this year. This will be the fourth flight of the Ariane 5 ECA, following those in February and November 2005, and on the 10th of March, 2006.

The role of EADS SPACE Transportation in Ariane 5 ECA
EADS SPACE Transportation, following a contract signed with Arianespace in May 2003 for the Ariane 5 production batch known as ‘PA batch’, is the single Prime Contractor for the Ariane 5 system today.

In its new role as single Prime Contractor, EADS SPACE Transportation is responsible for co-ordinating the entire span of associated technical and contractual relationships with subcontractors throughout Europe and delivering a fully integrated and tested Ariane 5 launcher to Arianespace out of the launcher integration building (BIL) in French Guiana.

EADS SPACE Transportation has the multidisciplinary expertise needed to handle such a complex programme:
• Programme management: risk management, configuration management, RAMS (reliability, availability, maintainability, safety), documentation.
• Technical management: approval of launcher element design and qualification, overall consistency checks, interface management.
• System engineering: integrated systems (aerodynamics, acoustics, thermal, structural, flight mechanics, guidance and flight control, pogo) studies and testing (acoustic, thermal, dynamic and electrical models).
• Flight software: design, qualification and development of flight software, which is tailored to each mission.
• Customer assistance: major role in Ariane launch campaigns, and support to Arianespace throughout the launch operations.
• Mission analysis and flight data analysis after each launch.

Furthermore, EADS SPACE Transportation is responsible for integrating all stages of the Ariane 5 launcher. These consists of the cryogenic main stage (EPC), the solid-propellant boosters (EAP), the cryogenic upper stage type A (ESC-A), the vehicle equipment bay (VEB), the flight programme and numerous subassemblies.

Guaranty of independent European access to space
International competition in the launch services market heats up, with Russian and Ukrainian launchers and with the new-generation American heavy lifters. The latter are advantaged by substantially higher domestic market compared to Europe. To guarantee an independent access to Space, the European Space Ministers decided further investment to enhance the competitiveness of the Ariane system.

The European space industry must meet this challenge by sustaining Ariane's commercial leadership, which will to a large extent depend on decreasing the launcher’s production costs and easier organisation structures. For that reason, EADS SPACE Transportation became the single prime contractor of the Ariane 5 programme.

As industrial leader, EADS SPACE Transportation oversees henceforth the European cost reduction initiative by co-ordinating the actions of European partners, and enhancing production capabilities. Industry is engaged to reduce production costs significantly, of about 30%, starting with the next batch of production (30 vehicles).

The new Ariane 5 ECA launcher
The new launch vehicle version offers a payload capacity of up to 10 tonnes for a dual launch into GTO. It relies on proven technologies and incorporating the long experience of previous programmes. Main parts of the launcher are EADS SPACE Transportation products:

EPC
The cryogenic main stage (EPC), powered by a Vulcain engine, is the main element of the launcher. It provides the majority of the energy needed to propel the payload into orbit. All EPC elements are assembled and integrated at the EADS SPACE Transportation site at Les Mureaux near Paris. This site also hosts the functional simulation facility (ISF), where EADS SPACE Transportation has developed the launcher’s electrical system and flight software as well as the automatic piloting and navigation systems. Also nearby is Cryospace, a joint venture between EADS Space Transportation and Air Liquide, which is responsible for producing the EPC’s cryogenic propellant tanks. The engine frame for the first and second stages of Ariane 5 is manufactured and assembled by Dutch Space in the Netherlands before being shipped to Les Mureaux.

EAP
The booster stage (EAP) comprises two solid-propellant boosters strapped to the sides of the launcher. These are integrated in the launch vehicle at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou. While retaining responsibility for the definition phase, EADS SPACE Transportation will transfer all booster integration activities to EUROPROPULSION.

ESC-A
The cryogenic upper stage (ESC-A) replaces the storable propellant stage (EPS) and is a true technological innovation. Of all the improvements that have been made to Ariane 5, this one certainly takes pride of place, for it alone accounts for 60% of the increase in performance compared with the preceding version of Ariane 5. The ESC-A is developed and manufactured at the EADS SPACE Transportation site in Bremen, Germany. Its purpose is to complete the orbital injection of its satellite payloads, assuring their correct separation and orientation.

Vehicle equipment bay
The vehicle equipment bay (VEB) holds the two computers (main computer and spare computer) used for flight control. It also houses the hydrazine-powered attitude control system (SCA) for roll and pitch control of the launcher after jettisoning of the boosters and for positioning the three axes of the rocket in ballistic flight.

Thrust chambers
The German EADS SPACE Transportation facilities in Ottobrunn near Munich and in Lampoldshausen, supply the thrust chambers which burn the rocket fuels in the Ariane 5’s Vulcain 2 main engine.

EADS SPACE Transportation
EADS SPACE Transportation is the European specialist for access to space and manned space activities. It develops and produces Ariane launchers, the Columbus laboratory and the ATV cargo carrier for the International Space Station, atmospheric re-entry vehicles, missile systems for France's deterrent force, propulsion systems and space equipment.

EADS SPACE Transportation is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2005, EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.7 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.

 

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of €34.2 billion and employed a workforce of more than 113,000.

Contacts for the Media
Rémi ROLAND
EADS SPACE
(FR)
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 42 24 27 34

Jeremy CLOSE EADS SPACE
(UK)

Tel.: +44 (0) 1 438 77 3872

Mathias PIKELJ
EADS SPACE
(GER)
Tel.: +49 (0) 7545 8 91 23