ARIANE 5 once again demonstrates its flexibility, launching four galileo satellites simultaneously
17.11.2016
Ariane 5 has just made its 75th consecutive successful flight, thus beating the record set by Ariane 4. The launcher demonstrated its flexibility by placing 4 Galileo European navigation satellites in orbit during the course of the same flight. This Ariane 5 ES version was adapted for this specific mission, with the upper stage powered by the reignitable Aestus engine.
On the occasion of this 233rd launch, Ariane 5 once again demonstrated its flexibility and adaptability by successfully placing 4 satellites in orbit to complete the European Galileo constellation. In this version of Ariane 5, the upper stage was powered by the re-ignitable Aestus engine, already used successfully for launches of the European ATV space vehicle.
The launch performance of this Ariane 5 ES is 3276 kg to circular orbit at an altitude of 22,922 km, (of which 2858 kg were accounted for by the 4 satellites of 714 or 715 kg each). They were injected into orbit by a 418 kg dispenser specifically developed and built by Airbus Safran Launchers for the Galileo launches.
Ariane 5 is the spearhead of European scientific know-how and one of the most wide- ranging and ambitious space programs in the world. The launcher once again demonstrated its flexibility, enabling it to carry heavy payloads into low Earth orbit, two satellites into geostationary transfer orbit, a single satellite with an optimised service lifetime, or several satellites to medium Earth orbit, as was the case today.
In keeping with the constant aim of enhancing the competitiveness of the Ariane 5 System, this launch was also the first opportunity to fly a Vulcain engine part produced by additive layer manufacturing (ALM) using direct metal laser sintering, thus significantly shortening the production cycle and reducing the quantity of material lost through machining.
Airbus Safran Launchers is lead contractor for the Ariane 5 launchers. The company coordinates an industrial network of more than 550 companies in 12 European countries (including more than 100 Small and Midsized Enterprises – SMEs). Airbus Safran Launchers oversees the entire industrial chain, from management of launcher performance upgrades, to production management, to final adjustment and supply of the mission flight software. This chain includes equipment and structures, engines manufacturing, integration of the various stages and finally launcher integration in French Guiana.
Airbus Safran Launchers is also industrial lead contractor for Europe’s future Ariane 6 launcher, which is scheduled for a first flight in 2020 and which will replace Ariane 5 in about 2023.