Launch of Ariane 5 GS with Helios 2B (December 18, 2009). Courtesy of Arianespace

Washington, D.C., USA - November 16, 2010

The International Academy of Astronautics is hosted on its 50th anniversary by Arianespace

Arianespace’s contributions to the exploration of space and monitoring of Earth’s environment were highlighted during a Washington, D.C. reception honoring the 50th anniversary of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).

This evening’s gathering was organized by Arianespace and held on the eve of the IAA’s anniversary meeting, which brought together the academy’s members with the heads of space agencies from around the world.

Spaceport technical center (with Ariane 5 full-scale model) Courtesy of Arianespace

Jacques Breton, Arianespace’s Senior Vice President – Sales & Customers, noted that during the company’s 30 years of existence, many of its launches have supported goals that were topics of the IAA’s Washington, D.C. anniversary meeting: planetary robotic exploration, climate change, disaster management and human spaceflight.

ELA-3 with Ariane 5 moving into launch zone. Courtesy of Arianespace

As examples of space exploration, he cited Arianespace’s 2009 mission that placed Europe’s Herschel and Planck space probes on their way to deep space to study the Universe’s origins, while its 1992 launch of the U.S./French Topex-Poseidon ocean mapping satellite contributed to the understanding of key climate change indicators.

Launch of Ariane 5 ECA with Arabsat-5A & COMS (June 26, 2010). Courtesy of Arianespace

For human spaceflight, Breton said the culmination of Europe’s role has been realized with the Automated Transfer Vehicle, which is a multi-role resupply cargo spacecraft for the International Space Station (ISS).

Jupiter mission control room (exterior view). Courtesy of Arianespace

“Two years ago, Arianespace launched the first ATV, Jules Verne, to resupply the ISS and sustain human space exploration,” he told attendees at the reception.
“Early next year, we will orbit the Johannes Kepler ATV, delivering vitally needed air, water and food to the station’s crew. The ATV program will become even more significant with the Space Shuttle’s retirement in a few months from now.”

Jupiter mission control room. Courtesy of Arianespace

The IAA is an independent honorary society of distinguished individuals elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to astronautics and the exploration of space.
The academy supports independent studies and conferences, and collaborates with other partner societies.

Addressing attendees at tonight’s reception is Jacques Breton, the Arianespace Senior Vice President – Sales & Customers. Joining him are (from left to right): Clayton Mowry, the President of Arianespace, Inc.; IAA Secretary General Dr. Jean-Michel Contant; and Dr. Madhavan Nair, the IAA president. Photo: Arianespace

IAA Secretary General Dr. Jean-Michel Contant, was joined by the academy’s newly-elected president Madhavan Nair to thank Arianespace for hosting guests and invitees for the organization’s anniversary meeting.

Nair, who is the former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, pointed out Arianespace’s role in helping India establish the country’s space activities.
“An Ariane launcher orbited India’s first spacecraft in 1981,” he said.
“Since then, many of India’s telecommunications satellites have been launched by Arianespace.”

http://www.arianespace.com/news-feature-story/2010/11-16-2010.asp  

Arianespace Japan Week 2010: Celebrating 30 years of success in Japan

Tokyo, October 4, 2010

As the world’s first launch Service & Solutions company, founded in 1980, Arianespace continues to consolidate its world market leadership as it celebrates its 30th anniversary and ongoing success in Japan.


30 years of success


Arianespace has signed over 300 launch Service & Solutions contracts since being created in 1980.
It has launched 283 satellites for 77 customers to date, accounting for more than half of all commercial satellites now in orbit.

Ariane 5 ECA mission with W3B & BSAT-3b on October 28, 2010. Courtesy of Arianespace

Since the orbiting of Japan’s first commercial satellite – JCSAT-1 – by an Ariane in 1989, 27 Japanese commercial satellites have been entrusted to Arianespace for launch.


Setting the pace in space


With 38 successful launches in a row over the last seven years, Ariane 5 has largely proven its technical maturity and operational capabilities.

In 2010, three Ariane 5s already have been launched, and three more flights with this heavy-lift workhorse are planned by year-end.

The Envisat environmental satellite is orbited by a heavy-lift Ariane 5 launcher (February 28, 2002). Courtesy of Arianespace

The next Ariane 5 launch, scheduled for October 28, will loft the W3B for Eutelsat and BSAT-3b for B-SAT Corporation.

Furthermore, Arianespace and its Starsem subsidiary also will orbit the first six satellites in Globalstar’s “new generation” constellation on October 19, on a Soyuz mission from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Launch of Ariane 5 ECA with RASCOM-QAF1R & NILESAT 201 (August 4, 2010). Courtesy of Arianespace

The first Ariane 5 launch of 2011 – which will be the 200th Ariane mission – is to orbit the Johannes Kepler ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) cargo vessel for servicing of the International Space Station (ISS), thus confirming the versatility of the European launch system.


Record backlog


Capitalizing on its range of launchers, Arianespace has won more than half of the commercial launch contracts open to competition worldwide in the past two years.
This gives it a very healthy backlog, with contracts from 27 customers.

Since the beginning of 2010, Arianespace already has signed new nine contracts for the launch of geostationary satellites by Ariane 5, along with six contracts for dedicated Soyuz launches.

ELA-3 launch control room for Ariane 5 (exterior view). Courtesy of Arianespace

With 32 satellites to be placed in geostationary transfer orbit using Ariane 5, along with six launches by Ariane 5 for the ATV cargo vessel for missions to the International Space Station, plus 18 Soyuz launches, Arianespace now has the largest backlog in the industry, representing 4.4 billion euros.

In addition to the BSAT-3b spacecraft slated for launch on October 28, Arianespace counts two more Japanese satellites in its backlog: JCSAT-13 and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R, to be launched next year.


A family of launchers


In the coming months, the heavy-lift Ariane 5 launcher will be joined at the Guiana Space Center by the medium-lift Soyuz launch vehicle and the lightweight Vega.
This will give Arianespace a complete family of launchers, capable of lofting all types of satellites for all customers.

ELA-3 launch control room for Ariane 5. Courtesy of Arianespace

The first launch of a Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana is set for the spring of 2011.
Arianespace has ordered 24 of these launchers from Russian industry.
The first two Soyuz vehicles already are in French Guiana.

Refurbishment of the ELA-1 launch pad for the new Vega light launcher is nearly completed. Each of the vehicles’ three solid propulsion stages has successfully passed static firing tests.
The first Vega launch from French Guiana is expected next year as well.


Arianespace and Japan


Arianespace opened its Tokyo office in the spring of 1986.
Since then, Arianespace has won 27 contracts in Japan from the 36 open to competition (representing a 75% market share), and launched the LDREX 1 & LDREX2 payloads for JAXA.

Ariane 5 ECA liftoff with Star One C2 and VINASAT-1 satellites on April 18, 2008. Courtesy of Arianespace

In parallel, Arianespace and Mitsubishi Heavy Industry have developed very close ties, with combined satellite launch offerings to customers using the Ariane 5 and H-IIA vehicles.

Japan already is one of Arianespace’s leading partners, and will remain so for many years to come given the breadth and depth of Japan’s space program.


About Arianespace


Arianespace is the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980.

Backed by 24 shareholders and the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled family of launchers, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence.

Arianespace’s headquarters in Evry-Courcouronnes, France, is located approximately 20 km. southeast of Paris. Photo: Arianespace

As of October 1, 2010, Arianespace had launched a total of 283 payloads, including more than half of all the commercial satellites now in service worldwide.
It has a backlog of 22 Ariane 5 and 18 Soyuz launches, equal to more than three years of business.

http://www.arianespace.com/news-press-release/2010/10-04-2010-JapanWeek-2010.asp  


ASTROMAN Magazine - 2010.01.09

OHB and SSTL selected for the construction of 14 Galileo navigation satellites

http://www.astroman.com.pl/index.php?mod=magazine&a=read&id=636  


ASTROMAN Magazine - 2010.01.09

British company SSTL wins key role in Europe's Galileo programme

http://www.astroman.com.pl/index.php?mod=magazine&a=read&id=635  


ASTROMAN Magazine - 2009.05.13

Herschel and Planck launcher at launch pad

http://www.astroman.com.pl/index.php?mod=magazine&a=read&id=496