Category Archives: Galileo Launchers

Galileo Launchers

Next Galileo launch begins processing in French Guiana

Two of the four Galileo satellites shown inside the S1A payload preparation facility. VA244

Two of the four Galileo satellites shown inside the S1A payload preparation facility. VA244

Payload preparations have begun for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission in support of Europe’s Galileo global navigation system, with two of the four satellites for launch on this July 2018 flight now undergoing their checkout at the Spaceport.

These two spacecraft arrived at French Guiana’s Félix Eboué Airport earlier this month aboard a 747 cargo jetliner, and were then unloaded and transported by road to the Spaceport’s S1A payload preparation facility. The third and fourth Galileo satellites will be delivered to the equatorial launch base in June. Read more…

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Arianespace is well suited to the needs of EU institutions

Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace

Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace

By Stéphane Israël*:

Arianespace is well suited to the needs of Europe’s institutions, writes Stéphane Israël.

With 37 years of satellite launches, Arianespace is a shining example of a European success story. While the company has become the world’s reference for commercial space transportation services, its primary objective remains to provide Europe with a reliable, affordable and independent access to space.

With its family of three launchers from the European space port, the heavyweight vehicle Ariane 5, the medium Soyuz and the light Vega, Arianespace is well suited to the needs of European institutions.  Read more…

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ESA proves new technologies to power future launchers

Expander-cycle Technology Integrated Demonstrator

Expander-cycle Technology Integrated Demonstrator

A full-scale demonstrator of the thrust chamber for an upper-stage rocket engine incorporating the newest propulsion technologies is being prepared for its first hot firing.

The Expander-cycle Technology Integrated Demonstrator, or ETID, has arrived at the DLR German Aerospace Center test facility in Lampoldshausen for tests. It will help to prove new technologies, materials and manufacturing techniques that offer higher performance at lower cost for Europe’s future launchers.

ETID is a precursor of the next generation of 10-tonne rocket engines. Some of the technologies could also be used on upgrades to the existing Vinci, which powers the upper stage of Ariane 6. Read more…

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Building Ariane 6 mobile gantry at Europe’s spaceport

Ariane 6 launch zone

Ariane 6 launch zone

The first structural element of the mobile gantry that will house and protect Ariane 6 before launch has been assembled.

The mobile gantry is a 90 m-high, nine-storey structure weighing 8200 tonnes. Riding on rails, it is retracted before launch.

Work platforms will enable engineers to access the vehicle levels to vertically position Ariane 6’s central core directly on the launch table, add two or four boosters depending on the launch configuration, and integrate the fairing that houses the payload. Read more…

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Ariane 6’s Vulcain engine set for first firing

Vulcain 2.1

Vulcain 2.1

A Vulcain rocket engine recently arrived in Germany ahead of its first test firing in December to demonstrate new capabilities and technologies developed for Ariane 6.

The Vulcain 2.1 will help to propel Ariane 6, new-generation launcher for Galileo, in the first 10 minutes of flight, up to an altitude of 200 km.

The engine delivers 135 tonnes of thrust in vacuum, and weighs the same as an Airbus A318 jet engine but provides more than 10 times the power. Read more…

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[vid] Galileo Launch 9 liftoff replay

Europe has four more Galileo navigation satellites (satellites 19–22) in the sky following their launch from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 18:36 GMT (19:36 CET, 15:36 local time), on an Ariane 5 rocket, operated by Arianespace.

 

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Galileo launch brings navigation network close to completion

Liftoff of Ariane 5 Flight VA240 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou

Liftoff of Ariane 5 Flight VA240 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou

Europe has four more Galileo navigation satellites in the sky following their launch on an Ariane 5 rocket. After today’s success, only one more launch remains before the Galileo constellation is complete and delivering global coverage.

Ariane 5, operated by Arianespace under contract to ESA, lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 18:36 GMT (19:36 CET, 15:36 local time), carrying Galileo satellites 19–22. The first pair of 715 kg satellites was released almost 3 hours 36 minutes after liftoff, while the second pair separated 20 minutes later. Read more…

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