The world’s first commercial launch services provider, created in 1980, Arianespace confirms its world leadership at the 49th Paris Air Show, taking place from June 20 to 26 at the Le Bourget near Paris.

One global success

Since being founded in 1980, Arianespace has signed over 300 launch contracts and orbited 294 satellites for 77 customers, accounting for more than half of all commercial satellites now in service worldwide.

Arianespace has already carried out three Ariane 5 missions in 2011, orbiting four communications satellites as well as the ATV2 Johannes Kepler supply vessel for the International Space Station. Three more Ariane 5 missions are scheduled by the end of the year, plus two Soyuz launches from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) and one Vega launch. Arianespace will also conduct three Soyuz launches from Baikonur.

These technical and operational successes are a direct outcome of the high-quality launchers produced by the industrial partners of Arianespace and confirm its status as the launch services provider from the Guiana Space Center.

Two benchmark missions

Arianespace is the launch services provider for the European space industry. Given this status, the countries belonging to the European Space Agency (ESA) have unanimously passed a resolution in favour of supporting European launchers, which will guarantee the long-term viability of the company.

In the coming years, Arianespace will work on behalf of Europe to send payloads to the International Space Station and orbit the Galileo constellation, while also launching government satellites such as Athena Fidus, Elisa, Gaia, MetOp B and C, MSG 3 and 4, Pleiades 1 and 2, Sentinel 1A, Sicral 2 and Skynet 5D.

At the same time, Arianespace provides a considerable workload for the European space industry, as the launch services company favoured by international commercial operators. Since the beginning of the year, Arianespace has announced the signature of four new launch contracts for the ABS 2, Arsat-2, Astra 2E and Astra 5B satellites.

Arianespace now has a backlog including 26 geostationary satellites and five missions to the International Space Station, accounting for 18 Ariane 5 launches, plus 18 dedicated Soyuz launches, worth a total of more than €4 billion.

Three launchers operating from the equator

Operations at the Guiana Space Center

Building on this record backlog of orders, Arianespace is gearing up to meet new challenges this year with the upcoming operation of three launchers from its launch site near the equator, enabling it to launch all types of satellites for all customers.
Arianespace is a seasoned launch services provider with more than 30 years of experience on Ariane launchers. It now deploys a team in charge of both operations and maintenance for the Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega launchers.

This multidisciplinary team comprises some 80 specialists leading a production organization with 400 people and manufacturers involved in Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega production. In particular, Arianespace’s team is in charge of final launcher preparations, the combined launcher/payload operations and the countdown leading up to the launch.

Ariane 5

With 44 successful launches in a row and more than eight years without a failure, Ariane 5 continues to prove, launch after launch, its technical and operational maturity.

Ariane 5 is the only launcher now on the market capable of simultaneously launching two payloads and handling a complete range of missions from commercial launches into geostationary orbit to dedicated launches into special orbits.

The next Ariane 5 launch is scheduled for July 1 and will orbit two direct-to-home (DTH) TV broadcast satellites: Astra 1N and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R.

Soyuz

Since taking over operational responsibility for the Soyuz Launch Complex (ELS) in early April, Arianespace has overseen its operational qualification. A Soyuz launcher was transported in horizontal position to the Launch Zone, then erected, with the upper composite being raised and integrated with the three lower stages. Two simulated countdowns were carried out validating the ELS facilities.

Following this key phase, Arianespace formally received the “key” to the ELS from ESA. Both facilities and crews are now ready for the first launch campaign leading up to the launch on October 20 of the first two satellites in the Galileo constellation.

Vega

Construction of the Vega Launch System (SLV) has now been completed and the combined electrical, mechanical and fluid tests between ground installations and a mock-up of the launcher are under way. The first launcher will be shipped from Italy to the Guiana Space Center at the end of September with a first launch scheduled by the end of the year.

Developed specifically for small and medium satellites, the Vega launcher will offer cost-effective access to low and sun-synchronous orbits.

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company, delivering innovative offer to its customers since 1980. Backed by its 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, Arianespace proposes an unrivalled launcher family, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for their culture of commitment and excellence. As of 1st June 2011, Arianespace had launched with Ariane launchers a total of 294 payloads, including more than half of all the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. It has a backlog of 18 Ariane 5 and 18 Soyuz launches, equal to more than 3 years of business.