New Ariane Launcher All Set For November Liftoff

ROCKET SCIENCE

A dramatic camera angle highlights the new cryogenic arms that will be used to fill the new Ariane 5's ESC-A upper stage. The arms extend from the launch table's umbilical mast (at right). During launch, the arms will fold inward against the umbilical mast, providing clearance as the Ariane-10-tonnes lifts off. ESA Photo

Paris (ESA) Nov 12, 2002
The launch date of 28 November has been announced for Europe's new 10-tonne launcher. Preparations are well underway at Europe's spaceport in French Guiana where a series of simulated countdowns have been successfully carried out.

The new Ariane 5, dubbed Ariane 10 tonnes, consists of a new cryogenic upper stage powered by the tried and trusted HM-7B engine used on the Ariane-4 launcher. To date Ariane 4 has made more than 100 trouble-free flights, earning it the nickname of the Ariane workhorse.

Developed by ESA with the support of its Member States, Ariane 10 tonnes confirms the growth potential built into the original design of the Ariane 5 launcher.

For the first time, Europe will now be able to place into geostationary orbit a payload weighing more than 10 tonnes. Ariane 10 tonnes is also good news for potential customers as they will be able to launch heavier satellites, and/or share a launch with another customer and pay less to orbit each kilogramme.

The reason being that despite its increased size Ariane 10 tonnes costs only slightly more to produce but is more flexible than previous Ariane launchers and can handle dual launches of large satellites thanks to its resized fairing.

In an increasingly aggressive and competitive market, Ariane 10 tonnes is expected to soon replace Ariane 4 as the Ariane workhorse.

Throughout the past year several developments have been taking place at Europe's spaceport to accommodate the new launcher. As its new longer upper stage makes it taller than the basic Ariane-5, the main door of the Ariane 5 final assembly building has been raised by more than 4 metres. The launch tower has also been made bigger so that the propellant lines can reach the new upper stage to allow fuelling.

Several full dress rehearsals have taken place, the first in mid-October and the last on 5 November. These entailed taking the launcher to the launch zone and filling the cryogenic central core and the new ESC-A cryogenic upper stage with propellant so that simulated countdowns could be carried out.

One of these proceeded through to ignition of the Vulcain 2 main engine and startup for 14 seconds. Vulcain 2 is an increased thrust version of the main basic Ariane-5 engine.

These successful simulations have enabled the launch team to validate the final preparation and countdown procedures and to set the date of 28 November for the first liftoff of Europe's new Ariane launcher.

ROCKET SCIENCE

Ariane 5's Successful Trial By Fire

Kourou - Oct 18, 2002
Arianespace's increased-lift "10-ton" Ariane 5 successfully passed a major milestone with its successful full dress rehearsal yesterday, which included an ignition of the launcher's Vulcain 2 main engine.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.