One of the smallest satellites launched by Arianespace was the ESTCube-1 technology demonstrator for Estonia’s National University of Tartu (at left), with a mass of 1.33 kg. – which was placed in Sun-synchronous orbit by a Vega launcher in 2013. The no. 5 Automated Transfer Vehicle (at right), lofted by Ariane 5 in 2014 on an ESA servicing mission to the International Space Station, is among the heaviest payloads, with a mass at liftoff of approximately 19,900 kg.
Since Arianespace’s creation 40 years ago, the 700-plus spacecraft launched by the company have expanded the world’s ability to communicate, contributed to the improvement of global mobility, helped monitor Earth’s environment, advanced science and education, unlocked secrets of the universe, and supported human spaceflight.
Arianespace surpassed the 700-spacecraft milestone during Vega Flight VV16, which orbited more than 50 nano-satellites and micro-satellites on the Proof of Concept launch for its Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS).
Performed overnight on September 2-3, Flight VV16’s historic 700th payload was the SIMBA CubeSat for SAB-Launch Services, which was produced by the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium for the European Space Agency (ESA).
From the smallest satellites to heavyweight payloads
Overall, the types of spacecraft lofted by Arianespace in its four decades of operation cover the full spectrum from 1-kg. smallsats for universities to the 19,000-kg.-class Automated Transfer Vehicles that were sent on ESA servicing missions to the International Space Station.
The more than 700 spacecraft were deployed on a range of trajectories, including geostationary transfer orbit, low-Earth orbit, circular and medium-Earth orbit, Sun-synchronous orbit and Earth escape trajectory, along with one suborbital reentry mission.
Categories for the 700-plus spacecraft are as follows:
- Telecommunications relay platforms;
- Earth observation satellites;
- Navigation spacecraft;
- Technology payloads;
- Scientific spacecraft;
- Cargo resupply vehicles deployed to the International Space Station; and
- An in-orbit servicing vehicle.
These payloads were produced by the world’s leading spacecraft manufacturers and were launched for customers in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, and Latin America.
The Arianespace launcher family at work
The spacecraft were lofted by Arianespace’s launcher family – composed of the Ariane, Soyuz and Vega launch vehicles – and represent a combined total mass of approximately 1,476 metric tons.
Looking ahead, Arianespace is to further reinforce its launch services with the introduction of Ariane 6 and Vega C launcher versions.
In the small-sat segment, the Small Spacecraft Mission Service that was validated on Vega’s Flight VV16 will be accompanied by the similar MLS (Multi Launch Service) offer on Ariane 6 – enabling Arianespace to increase the number of affordable launch opportunities for both small satellites and constellations.
About ArianeGroup
ArianeGroup develops and supplies innovative and competitive solutions for civil and military space launchers, with expertise in all aspects of state-of-the-art propulsion technologies. ArianeGroup is lead contractor for Europe’s Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launcher families, responsible for both design and the entire production chain, up to and including marketing by its Arianespace subsidiary, as well as for the missiles of the French oceanic deterrent force. ArianeGroup and its subsidiaries enjoy a global reputation as specialists in the field of equipment and propulsion for space applications, while their expertise also benefits other industrial sectors. The group is a joint venture equally owned by Airbus and Safran, and employs approximately 9,000 highly qualified staff in France and Germany. Its 2018 revenues amounted to 3.6 billion euros. www.ariane.group
About Arianespace
Arianespace uses space to make life better on Earth by providing launch services and solutions for all types of satellites (institutional and commercial) into all orbits. It has orbited more than 600 satellites since 1980, using its family of three launchers, Ariane, Soyuz and Vega, from launch sites in French Guiana (South America) and Baikonur (Central Asia). Arianespace is headquartered in Evry, near Paris, and has a technical facility in Kourou at the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, plus local offices in Washington, D.C., Tokyo and Singapore. Arianespace is a subsidiary of ArianeGroup, which holds 74% of its share capital, with the balance held by 15 other shareholders from the European launcher industry. www.arianespace.com
Press contacts ArianeGroup:
Astrid Emerit - T. +33.6.86.65.45.02
Press contact Arianespace:
Claudia Hoyau - T. +33.1.60.87.55.11
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