Ariane 6 Set for Maiden Voyage with Robusta-3A Satellite Aboard

Ariane 6 Set for Maiden Voyage with Robusta-3A Satellite Aboard
by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Apr 10, 2024

Europe's latest heavy-lift launcher, Ariane 6, is set to embark on its inaugural flight, carrying a diverse array of missions including Earth observation, deep space exploration, and critical technology testing. The versatility of Ariane 6 will be demonstrated as it undertakes its first mission with varied payloads and objectives.

Recent years have seen an increase in extreme weather events such as flooding, particularly in southern France, exacerbated by climate change and heightened humidity from the Mediterranean. The Robusta-3A satellite, a key payload on Ariane 6's debut, will orbit at 580 km to monitor water vapor over the Mediterranean, enhancing flood forecasts by improving our understanding of severe rain events.

Developed by the University Space Center of Montpellier, this 30-cm CubeSat will utilize signals from navigation satellites like Galileo, reflected off water surfaces, to gather critical data. This data, compared with measurements from Mediterranean naval receivers, will aid Meteo-France in refining predictions of flash floods, especially the cevenol events prevalent in the Cevennes region.

"If the data improves the geographic and temporal accuracy of weather forecasts for cevenol events, it could enable authorities to issue timely warnings and assist rescue operations in targeting vulnerable areas," said Romain Briand, from the University Space Center.

In addition to its meteorological mission, Robusta-3A will assess the radiation resilience of electronic memory components from 3D PLUS, a French firm specializing in reliable electronic components for space applications.

Spanning over a decade of development and engaging around 300 students globally, Robusta-3A is the seventh satellite produced entirely by the University of Montpellier. It serves as a practical learning platform for future space engineers and researchers.

"It is with immense pride and pleasure that we undertake the Robusta-3A project, facing both technological and human challenges, making our achievements even more gratifying," remarked Briand. "Launching on Ariane 6's first flight, a momentous event eagerly anticipated by the space community, adds to our pride."

Sara Vega Martinez, involved in the project, shared, "Participating in the Robusta-3A project has been a richly rewarding and challenging experience, and I am excited and grateful to be launching aboard Ariane 6."

Robusta-3A's meteorological instruments were developed in collaboration with Meteo-France, IGN, Ensta Bretagne, the Port of Sete, and two research labs: Laboratoire d'Informatique, de Robotique et de Microelectronique de Montpellier and the Institut d'Electronique et des Systemes.

Ariane 6 is designed for flexibility, capable of delivering payloads into any required orbit. Its new Vinci engine can be restarted multiple times to precisely place missions or maneuver into graveyard orbits after missions are complete.