FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1997
1997 - 0129.PDF
SPACEFLIGHT Arianespace 'record' boosted by Ariane 4 JULIAN MOXON/PARIS ARIANESPACE is claiming an "absolute record" for launch operations during 1996, despite the loss of the first of the European Space Agency's (ESA) new Ariane 5 heavy launchers on a mid-year maiden flight. The Ariane 4 operation involved an unbroken string often success ful launches, placing 15 satellites into orbit. Arianespace was also awarded 19 of die 32 launch con tracts signed worldwide. It was, says outgoing Arianespace presi dent Charles Bigot, an "excellent" year for the Ariane 4. Arianespace's launch backlog now stands at 42 satellites, worm around $3.4 billion. A further order for ten Ariane 4s will be placed during 1997, says Bigot, to coverthe 1999-2000 peri od, in addition to the existingorder for 25 launchers placed before die loss of the first Ariane 5. "This is a measure of the importance we attach to the market," he adds. Arianespace still claims to be the world's leading supplier of launch services, with 60% of the commer cial launch market in 1996. The drive now is to adapt to die growth of the market, says Arianespace executive vice-president Francis Avanzi. He reveals that around 15% of the orders held by the Paris-based organisation are for European military and scientific satellites, and that this is set to increase. "We would like to make that 25%," he says. The second ESA Ariane 5 launch is now set for July, widi the third due at the end of the year. Bigot reveals that this, the final qualification launch, may be offered to a commercial customer. "We haven't decided yet," he adds. Arianespace is also considering offering its Kourou, French Guiana, launch centre to outside involvement. This would go in tan dem with its stated desire to in crease international co-operation beyond that seen in the Starsem deal signed with Russia in 1996. Ariane 5 development, says Bigot, is now aimed at satisfying die "increasingly diversified" mar ket demand, which calls for ever- larger satellites to be placed in orbit, covering a range of different orbital conditions. The launcher, initially capable of lofting 6t pay- loads into geostationary orbit, will be upgraded to a 6.3t capability by 1998, increasing to 7t by 2000 and 7.4tby2003. Production costs are also under attack, Arianespace having agreed widi its industrial partners during 1996 on a plan to halve costs by 2002. "More than 500 actions will be taken to achieve diat," says Avanzi. He praises die efforts made during die year, which saw produc tion of several components achiev ing record levels. Avanzi adds diat 1996 saw heavy economic pressures because of late satellite-deliveries in October and December "...which limited total sales to around Fr6.3 billion [$1.2 billion]", in addition to die acceler ation of Ariane 4 production to cover die delay to die Ariane 5 and the continued unfavourable dollar- exchange rate. Costs associated widi die loss of die Ariane 5 are put unofficially at Fr 1 billion. Q •i.3,^;,^lfMp"in'.'i,^,;i'i:^M^— No Date Spacecraft Type Launched*) Country!') Launch stteQ 68 4 Dec Pathfinder Mars Delta 2(10)§ USA (31) Canaveral (16) 69 llDec Cosmos 2335 Elint Tsyklon(2)§ Russia (22) Baikonur (15) 70 17 Dec Inmarsat 3F2 Comsat Atlas (7)§ USA (32) Canaveral (17) 71 20 Dec Cosmos 2336 Milsat Cosmos (4) Russia (23) Plesetsk(8) 72 20 Dec Classified Recon Titan4(4)§ USA (33) Vandenberg (4) 73 24 Dec Bion 11 Science Soyuz(7) Russia (24) Plesetsk(9) * Indicates total number of orbital launches by this launch vehicle, country and launch site in 1996. § Delta 7925 (9). Tsykkxi two-stage (1). Atlas 2A (4), Titan 4 two-stage model (3) Last Satellite Launch Log: Right International, 11-18 December Aviation safety insight For Europe. From everywhere. u » Safety — The Global Challenge 9th annual European Aviation Safety Seminar 4-5 March 1997 Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam, Netherlands This seminar offers information and ideas from around the world for application to European aviation safety. Sponsored by Flight Safety Foundation (FSF), the leader in worldwide aviation safety information exchange, celebrating its 50th year in 1997. Seminar topics Human factors • External hazards Technology • Pilot selection and training. Who will benefit by attending Regional airline managers • Corporate operations managers • Flight safety managers • Flight crews Insurance executives • Maintenance managers Instructors and researchers • Aviation consultants Regulatory oversight managers • Equipment manufacturer executives and designers. Registration fee: US$400 FSF member/$500 nonmember. ($100 of nonmember fee can be applied to new FSF membership.) For more information or to register contact Steve Jones, Flight Safety Foundation. Telephone: +1 703 739 6700; Fax: +1 703 739 6708. Flight Safety Foundation Visit the FSF World Wide Web site at: "http://www.flightsafety.org". FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 15 - 21 January 1997 23
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
