Stephane Israel (Credit: Arianespace)

New Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël has a clear message for his customers and rivals: “Launches speak louder than words.”

Israël mentions this phrase, which is Arianespace’s unofficial motto, in a Q&A published by the company on its website.  It’s not clear precisely to whom he might be referring, but one might guess that it is a certain American entrepreneur named Elon Musk who talks a lot and whose company, SpaceX, has only a handful of launches under its belt.

SpaceX has, of course, notched a lot of launch contracts for satellites waiting to be flown. This accomplishment that has put a great deal of fear into other launch providers, not that you would know it from Israël’s answers. While it’s unlikely that Musk will suddenly stop speaking as much as he does in the years ahead, SpaceX will have a lot more launches that will speak to the company’s reliability and accuracy.

Meanwhile, the Europeans have a two-part plan to meet the threat posed by this challenger whose name is seldom spoken.  Part one involves upgrading the current Ariane 5 rocket to launch the heaviest communications satellites. The upgraded rocket will continue to be launched alongside the Soyuz medium-lift rocket and the new Vega light launch vehicle to serve a broad range of clients.

The second part of the plan is to build an entirely new rocket, Ariane 6, that would be able to launch a variety of payloads. This would be the most direct response to SpaceX, although the launch vehicle won’t be ready until around 2021.

While we await the outcome of that titanic struggle, enjoy this interview with Arianespace’s chief.

Q&A with Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël

Question: How do you see your role as the successor to Jean-Yves Le Gall?

Answer: I am following in the footsteps of a true space sector visionary! Jean-Yves put Arianespace on the path of long-term success with his emphasis on quality and reliability – something that increasingly makes us stand out from the competitors today – in addition to the arrival of Soyuz and Vega in Kourou, joining Ariane to create a unique launch vehicle family. I wish all the best to Jean-Yves in his new position as the head of France’s CNES space agency. Along with industry and the European Space Agency, we will work closely together with him.

Question:  What are your first thoughts of Arianespace?

Answer: I am impressed by the professionalism and the enthusiasm of everyone I’ve met. Clearly, this is a company that is customer-oriented – ready to deliver on its commitments through operational expertise. There is a reason why Arianespace is the leader: the dedication to excellence, from our launch teams at the Spaceport to the commercial representatives who circle the globe; and from those at headquarters in Evry to the staff of our international offices in Singapore, Tokyo, Washington and French Guiana.

Question:  What are your near-term priorities?

Answer: First of all, I am looking forward to meeting with our customers around the world in the continuity of Jean-Yves’ action to nurture our privileged position. Also I place a particular emphasis on personal relationships, which I will actively pursue with the key players in our industry.  Another top priority is spending time at the Spaceport and seeing the entire family of Arianespace launchers in action, and listening to the feedback of all the Arianespace community in Evry and Kourou, and more generally to the entire space community that makes Arianespace a success!

Question:  How do you view Arianespace’s competitive position today?

Answer: I fully agree with Arianespace’s unofficial motto: “Launches speak louder than words.” Our customers – whether they are telecommunications satellite operators, spacecraft manufacturers, international space agencies or institutions – rely on Arianespace to deliver their payloads safely in orbit and with the accuracy demonstrated by our launcher family, mission after mission. The appreciation by the market of the value of our services is confirmed, year after year, by the commercial successes we achieve. Under my leadership, Arianespace will continue to speak with the same voice in delivering a message that is loud and clear – based on the tempo of success and willingness of excellence that have driven our company for the past three decades.

Evry, France, January 8, 2013 (Arianespace PR) —

Ten years of uninterrupted success

With 53 successful launches in a row, Ariane 5 closed out 2012 on a high note, marking ten years of uninterrupted success. This is an extraordinary level of reliability, largely unrivaled in the launch industry.

The launcher logged perfect countdowns throughout the year, ensuring on-time launches and clearly reflecting the skills and commitment of the people who produce and operate Ariane 5.

Arianespace’s family of three launch vehicles performed ten launches in a year from the Guiana Space Center for the first time in 2012: seven by Ariane 5, two by Soyuz and one by Vega. Arianespace set another record as well, sending nearly 75 metric tons into orbit.

This remarkable technical, industrial and commercial success is the result of a strong political commitment that has allowed Europe, at the initiative of France, to deploy a truly world-class space industry.  

Driving employment

Since being founded in 1980, the contracts won by Arianespace, especially in export markets, have generated some 15 billion euros for the European space industry. The ten launches carried out by Arianespace last year, for example, generated sales exceeding 1.3 billion euros, a 30% rise over 2011, for income at the break-even point.

Arianespace’s order intake in 2012 was once again remarkable, giving it a market share of 60% and a total order backlog of 4 billion euros, equal to three years of business. The order book now includes 18 Ariane 5 launches, 12 for Soyuz and three for Vega, giving Arianespace the largest backlog in the industry. Furthermore, these orders are provided by 25 customers from around the world, including the European Space Agency, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, European Commission, Spain, United States, Eumetsat, Eutelsat, France, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Norway and Qatar.

The overall organization ensures the long-term employment, in France, other European countries and French Guiana, of more than 10,000 engineers and highly qualified technicians.

Driving innovation

The space sector is characterized by long lead-times, and decisions only bear fruit years after being made. Today’s success is the direct result of decisions made some 25 years ago.

At the ministerial-level meeting of the European Space Agency Council in Naples on November 20 and 21, 2012, Europe’s space ministers honored Arianespace’s success by approving an ambitious support plan for Ariane 5, which guarantees its long-term operation. They also kicked off the development of Ariane 6, which opens new horizons for the European launch vehicle sector.

In addition to maintaining the indispensable design skills base, this future launch vehicle will also be a formidable engine of technological development and innovation, enabling Europe to maintain its leadership in the global launch services market by addressing changing requirements and increasing competition.

Based on all of these factors, Arianespace can look to the future with confidence. Arianespace clearly has the resources and capabilities needed to maintain its status as the world leader, for the greater benefit of its customers, as well as European governments and industry.

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading satellite launch company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, the company offers an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of 1st January 2013, 211 Ariane launches, 29 Soyuz launches (four at the Guiana Space Centre and 25 at Baikonur with Starsem) and the first launch of Vega have been performed. The company has a backlog of 18 Ariane 5, 12 Soyuz and three Vega launches, equaling three years of business.

In addition to the Cosmos family of rockets, Yuzhnoye’s other launch vehicles include the Zenit rockets flown by Land Launch and Sea Launch, the Dnepr ballistic missiles used to launch small satellites, the Cyclone-4 boosters set to make begin flights out of Alcantara in Brazil next year, and the first stage tanks and structure for Orbital Sciences Corporation’s new Antares rocket that will lift off from Virginia later this year. The company also provides an upper stage for Europe’s new Vega launcher.

Ukraine’s contributions to space are often overlooked, and this anniversary went largely unnoticed outside of that nation. So,  I thought it would be nice to give the Ukrainians their due. I found an account of the launch prepared by the good folks at the Yuzhnoye press office. It begins after the break.

50 Years in Space: How it All Began

The 16th of March is a remarkable date in Ukraine’s calendar of outstanding events in space. Exactly 50 years ago in 1962, the first Dnepropetrovsk satellite DS-2 was launched by a new launch vehicle, named Cosmos (the second one in USSR after famous R-7 rocket, designed by S.P. Korolev).

Launch Vehicle

First works on development of launch vehicle intended for launch of small satellites were performed as far back as 1956 in Special Design Office 586 (OKB 586), at present known as Yuzhnoye SDO, (as an alternative option of OKB-1 project, directed by S.P. Korolev) however, after successful launch of the world’s first artificial Earth satellite onboard R-7 rocket, temporarily there was no need for one more space launch vehicle.

Later this idea was reconsidered, since R-7 rocket was too expensive and difficult to operate for launches of relatively small artificial Earth satellites. The preliminary design of a new two-stage launch vehicle on the basis of Dnepropetrovsk military ballistic missile 8K63, R-12 is the same missile (the most mass produced ballistic missile at that time) was finished in April 1960, governmental regulation for its development was signed in August 1960. Owing to competent designing and great enthusiasm the first rocket was already shipped to launch site in summer 1961 – less than a year since the regulation was issued.

In order to save time and costs the first stage was built on the basis of R-12 missile, modified for installation of second stage, and part of first stage’s design concepts was implemented in second stage. The RD-119 engine developed by OKB-456 (V.P. Glushko) and powered by unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine was accepted for the second stage.

Successful launch

The successful launch of 63C1 launch vehicle from a silo launcher of Mayak-2 launch complex was performed on March 16, 1962 at Kapustin Yar spaceport and first acting DS-2 spacecraft, developed by OKB-586, was injected into orbit. This event has opened a new phase in OKB-586 development that has also shown its capabilities in the field of rocket and space technology development and peaceful space exploration.

The DS-2 satellite was designed and manufactured in record time – about two months.

The satellite with mass of 47 kg, represented a spherical container inside which the Mayak double-frequency transmitter, intended for ionosphere and Earth atmosphere sounding using radio-frequency emission, and accumulator battery were installed and two couples of ribbon and rod antennas were located outside.

Afterword

The DS-2 spacecraft, named in mass media Cosmos-1, has become the first satellite in Cosmos family of different purpose spacecrafts. Then followed the development and launch of a series of scientific spacecrafts (research satellites, small unified satellites, automatic unified orbital station – AUOS), defense satellites (positioning, calibration, radar surveillance) and natural resources monitoring satellites (Earth remote sensing satellites).

The Cosmos launch vehicle was operated at the following spaceports: Kapustin Yar (1962-1964 – Mayak-2 silo launch complex, 1964-1973 – Dviana reequipped silo launch complex) and Plesetsk (1967-1977 – Raduga launch complex).

The total number of Cosmos launch-vehicles launches is 165, out of them 143 were successful.

The way into space, paved by Cosmos LV, continued with other launch-vehicles developed by Yuzhnoye SDO: Cosmos-2, Cyclone-2, Cyclone-3, Dnepr, Zenit-2, Zenit-3SL, Zenit-2SLB, Zenit-3SLB. The Cyclone-4 launch vehicle is being prepared for the first launch from Alcantara spaceport (Brazil).

Two of Europe’s biggest International Space Station contributors have rejected a NASA proposal that would see the European Space Agency (ESA) pay its share of ISS operating costs by building a propulsion module for NASA’s Orion crew transport capsule, saying the proposal is technologically lackluster and unlikely to generate public enthusiasm.

Interesting.

This will, presumably, force NASA to dig even deeper into its pockets to complete work on the mega-expensive Orion, which is not to set to fly with astronauts for another 9 years. Possibly with a negative impact on funding for commercial crew.

The negative view of the service module work is interesting in light of what the two nations have been spending development money on. Italy and France collectively finance about 73 percent of Europe’s new Vega rocket, which launches small payloads into LEO. Total Euopean commitment to Vega, including five qualifying flights, will total $1.45 billion.

And that’s before they replace the fourth stage. Germany was so thrilled the success of Vega’s inaugural launch this week that it wants in on this exciting project. It has proposed building a replacement for the Ukrainian-built upper stage. The cost of that is unknown at present.

Well, whatever floats your boat.

To be fair, Italy and France are looking at some interesting technology development:

Specifically, d’Escatha says France would like to develop a vehicle capable of grappling with and collecting orbital debris that could also have sample-return applications for exploration missions.

The Swiss are looking at doing exactly that with small satellites. It’s an interesting project, technologically challenging, and much needed. So, I could see how the French would be doing something similar and find that interesting.

But still, Orion is going to be going beyond Earth orbit with people, and Italy and France could certainly barter participation of their own astronauts in those missions. And those would be both technologically challenging and of generate much public enthusiasm.

Inaugural Vega flight. (Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2012)

Despite committing almost $1.5 billion to developing and flight testing its newest launch vehicle, Vega, Europe will spend even more money to upgrade the rocket.

European officials are eying the developing of a new German fourth stage to replace a Ukrainian-built RD-868 engine that was used on Vega’s successful inaugural flight on Monday. It’s not clear how much the new engine would cost.

In the wake of the successful launch this week, the head of the Italian Space Agency — which funded 58 percent of the rocket’s development — fielded a call from his German counterpart:

Enrico Saggese, president of the Italian space agency, said he received a call Monday from Johann-Dietrich Woerner, executive chairman of the German Aerospace Center, or DLR. Saggese said Woerner suggested Germany was ready to join the Vega program.

“I must say that we are proud of the seven countries who participated in the program,” Saggese said. “We are ready to have with us other fathers.”

Woerner congratulated Saggese on the successful launch and offered to discuss German support for a European upper stage for Vega, according to Andreas Shutz, a DLR spokesperson.

Vega’s Attitude and Vernier Upper Module, or AVUM, is the launcher’s fourth stage. The AVUM is powered by an RD-869 engine provided by Yuzhnoye of Ukraine, while a Spanish subsidiary of EADS, the largest European defense contractor, builds the stage’s structure and skirt.

AVUM is the only liquid stage on the vehicle and the only one built outside of ESA’s member states. France funded 25 percent of the development costy. Other partners in the program include Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden. German industry has been involved in building some of Vega’s system, but without a funding commitment from the nation’s government.

Full development and flight testing of the Vega rocket, which can place a 1,500-kilogram (3,307-pound) satellite in a 700-kilometer (435-mile) orbit, will cost 1.1 billion euros ($1.45 billion) before the new upper stage engine. In addition to spending 710 million euros ($930 million) on development, ESA is spending another 400 million euros ($523.5 million) on five development flights.

The market for small satellite launches has been dominated by Russian and Ukrainian rockets such as Dnepr and Rockot, which are converted Soviet-era ICBMs. Space News reports that Vega will be competitive with these launchers:

Europe’s Vega small-satellite launcher, whose inaugural flight is scheduled for mid-February, will be sold commercially for about 32 million euros ($42 million) per launch — a price that can compete with converted Russian ballistic missiles, Vega officials said Jan. 23….

“Our belief is that we can charge up to 20 percent more per launch than our biggest competitors and still win business because of the value we provide at the space center here and with Arianespace,” said Francesco De Pasquale, managing director of ELV SpA, the Italian company that is Vega’s prime contractor.

“What we are saying is that we can now deliver the vehicle for 25 million euros to Arianespace,” De Pasquale said in an interview on the eve of Vega’s final tests before flight approval.

“Arianespace’s marketing and service costs will add about 7 million to that figure, which gets us to 32 million euros. This is assuming that we launch only two Vega flights per year. If we can increase the flight rate to four per year — and we believe the market demand will be there — then our price per vehicle can drop to 22 million euros. We assume a corresponding price drop from Arianespace,” De Pasquale said.

Those are pretty good prices. They don’t seem to be sufficient to recover development costs, but I’m guessing that was probably not part of the plan anyway.

Europe’s news rocket, Vega, had a successful flight from Kourou today. Vega’s first payload consists of two Italian satellites: ASI’s LARES laser relativity satellite and the University of Bologna’s ALMASat-1. Flight VV01 will also carry seven picosatellites provided by European universities: e-St@r (Italy), Goliat (Romania), MaSat-1 (Hungary), PW-Sat (Poland), Robusta (France), UniCubeSat GG (Italy) and Xatcobeo (Spain).

The mission is intended to qualify the overall Vega system, including the vehicle itself, its launch infrastructure and its operation; from the launch campaign to the payload separation and the safe disposal of the upper stage.

The payload consists of two Italian satellites – ASI’s LARES laser relativity satellite and the University of Bologna’s ALMASat-1 – as well as seven picosatellites provided by European universities: e-St@r (Italy), Goliat (Romania), MaSat-1 (Hungary), PW-Sat (Poland), Robusta (France), UniCubeSat GG (Italy) and Xatcobeo (Spain).

The mission is intended to qualify the overall Vega system, including the vehicle itself, its launch infrastructure and the operations, from the launch campaign to the payload separation and safe disposal of the upper stage.

VV01 flight profile

Vega VV01 mission timeline and flight profile Credits: ESA - J. Huart, 2012

Vega’s P80 solid-propellant engine will be ignited first and a fraction of a second later the vehicle will lift off. It will burn out and separate at 1 min 54 sec. The Zefiro-23 second stage will ignite one second later and be jettisoned 3 min 22 sec into the flight.

About 16 seconds later, the Zefiro-9 third stage will ignite. The fairing protecting the payload during the climb through Earth’s atmosphere will be discarded at 3 min 43 sec, followed by Zefiro-9 separation at 5 min 47 sec.

The first firing of the AVUM liquid-propellant fourth stage will begin at 5 min 54 sec; the second will begin at 48 min 7 sec.

At 55 min 5 sec into the flight, Italy’s LARES laser-ranging satellite will separate from the upper stage.

AVUM’s third burn starting at 66 min 10 sec will be followed by the separation of ALMaSat-1 and the seven CubeSats at 70 min 35 sec.

Vega’s flight will be completed 81 min after first-stage ignition.

A flexible mission

Vega will provide Europe with a safe, reliable and competitive capacity to carry science and Earth observation satellites into orbit, perfectly complementing the heavy Ariane 5 and medium Soyuz rockets already launched from the spaceport.

The rocket is designed for a wide range of missions and payload configurations in order to respond to different market opportunities and provide great flexibility.

Unlike most small launchers, Vega is able to place multiple payloads into orbit. In particular, it offers configurations able to handle payloads ranging from a single satellite up to one main satellite plus six microsatellites.

Vega's upper composite, comprising LARES, ALMASat-1, seven CubeSats and the fairing, was transferred to the pad on 24 January and added to the vehicle at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut, 2012

Space News reports that nine years of European effort coupled with a bout of inflation have produced a Vega rocket that can compete with Russian boosters for launching small payloads:

Europe’s Vega small-satellite launcher, whose inaugural flight is scheduled for mid-February, will be sold commercially for about 32 million euros ($42 million) per launch — a price that can compete with converted Russian ballistic missiles, Vega officials said Jan. 23.

In briefings at Europe’s Guiana Space Center spaceport here on the northeast coast of South America, where Vega is nearing the end of nine years of development, program managers said the rocket’s competitive position is even better than it was at the start of development.

“Our belief is that we can charge up to 20 percent more per launch than our biggest competitors and still win business because of the value we provide at the space center here and with Arianespace,” said Francesco De Pasquale, managing director of ELV SpA, the Italian company that is Vega’s prime contractor….

A wave of inflation in Russia has driven up the prices of both rockets “radically” in recent years, according to Antonio Fabrizi, head of the launcher division for the 19-nation ESA. Fabrizi said a recent ESA decision to assign Vega the launch of two European Sentinel Earth observation satellites was only made after a competition with Rockot. “We believe in competition in the sector,” Fabrizi said.

Rockot, which is a German-Russian joint venture, is one of a trio of converted Soviet ICBMs vying for a piece of the small launch market. The other two are Dnepr, which is a Russian-Ukrainian collaboration; and Cyclone-4, which is a Ukrainian rocket set to launch from Brazil in 2013.

India’s PSLV booster also serves this market, as do some Chinese Long March rockets. SpaceX’s Falcon 1e would have competed in this market segment, but the company has placed development on hold.

Meanwhile, RIA Novosti is reporting that Russia has decided to continue launching Dnepr rockets, which are decommissioned SS-18 Satan ICBMs. It is not clear why Russia might have been considering retiring the program.

The SS-18 missiles are gradually being retired from Russia’s Strategic Missile Force (SMF) and converted into launch vehicles. There are 52 missiles remaining in the SMF.

The story quotes Ukrainian space agency head Yuri Alekseyev as saying two launches are planned this year. The first, set for April or May, will carry Korea’s KOMSAT-5 satellite. The second rocket will launch a cluster of Arab satellites in September or October.

Vega on the launch pad. (Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja, 2012)

ESA PR – ESA’s new Vega rocket is now fully assembled on its launch pad. Final preparations are in full swing for the rocket’s inaugural flight from Europe’s Spaceport. The launch window opens on 9 February.

The upper composite, comprising LARES, ALMASat-1, seven CubeSats, the payload adapter and the fairing, was moved to the pad late Monday night. A night transfer is the standard practice in Kourou to avoid overheating the payloads.

The move ended early Tuesday morning with its installation on the dedicated stand inside the mobile gantry to await mating with the launcher.

The composite was then added on top of Vega’s AVUM fourth stage to finalise electrical connections and verify links, concluding with the final mechanical connection.

The main remaining steps to the maiden flight are the final checkout of the assembled vehicle, the full launch countdown rehearsal and the fuelling of the restartable AVUM.

Vega's upper composite, comprising LARES, ALMASat-1, seven CubeSats and the fairing, was transferred to the pad on 24 January and added to the vehicle at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Credits: ESA - M. Pedoussaut, 2012

Vega qualification flight

This first flight, dubbed VV01, marks the end of nine years of development by ESA and its partners, Italian space agency ASI, French space agency CNES and industry.

It will lift off from the new Vega launch site at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, carrying nine satellites into orbit. The launch window opens on 9 February and ends a few days later.

The mission will qualify the overall Vega system, including the vehicle, the ground infrastructure and operations from the launch campaign to the payload separation and disposal of the upper module.

In particular, it will demonstrate the vehicle’s performances and payload services in flight.

A flexible mission

Vega will provide Europe with a safe, reliable and competitive capacity to carry science and Earth observation satellites into orbit, while perfectly complementing the heavy Ariane 5 and medium Soyuz rockets already launched from the spaceport.

The rocket is designed to cope with a wide range of missions and payload configurations in order to respond to different market opportunities and provide great flexibility.

Unlike most small launchers, Vega is able to place multiple payloads into orbit. In particular, it offers configurations able to handle payloads ranging from a single satellite up to one main satellite plus six microsatellites.

It is compatible with payload masses ranging from 300 kg to 2500 kg, depending on the type and altitude of the orbit required by the customers. The benchmark is for 1500 kg into a 700 km-altitude polar orbit.

More information on Vega and updates are available on the new launch website here

Vega slideshow on Flickr available here

One of Vega’s two payload fairing half-shells is unloaded in its shipping container from the MN Colibri docked at Kourou’s Pariacabo Port (photo at left), for transfer to the nearby Spaceport. (Credit: Arianespace)

ARIANESPACE PR – The first lightweight Vega was delivered to the Spaceport today, with this latest member of Arianespace’s expanded launcher family arriving only days after the service entry of its other new vehicle – the medium-lift Soyuz.

Vega came to French Guiana aboard the MN Colibri roll-on/roll-off ship, which docked yesterday at Kourou’s Pariacabo Port after a two-week Atlantic crossing from Europe, and was unloaded this morning for the launcher’s transfer by road to the Spaceport.

The four-stage Vega’s first flight has been set for next January 26, carrying LARES (LAser RElativity Satellite) and nine cubesat educational payloads of varying sizes.

This inaugural launch will be a qualification mission performed under responsibility of the European Space Agency, since the vehicle represents a totally new configuration. As its future operator, Arianespace is heavily involved in the launch – including having one of its team members assigned the role as Launch Site Operations Manager.

Vega will lift off from the Spaceport’s ZLV launch site, which originally was used for the Ariane 1 and Ariane 3 vehicles.

Planning calls for Vega’s first mission campaign to begin on November 7 with rollout of its P80 first stage to the launch pad, followed during the subsequent weeks by stacking of the Zefiro 23 second stage and Zefiro 9 third stage – all of which are loaded with solid-propellant.

Claude-Henri Berna, the Arianespace Vega program director in French Guiana, said a progress review will be held on December 7 to authorize a continuation of the final integration process – allowing the bi-propellant Attitude and Vernier Upper Module (AVUM) to be mated atop the launcher, and final operations to begin with the mission’s multi-spacecraft payload.

Vega is produced by Italian prime contractor ELV, and will join Arianespace’s launcher family as the lightweight vehicle. It will be operated from French Guiana along with the medium-lift Soyuz and heavyweight Ariane 5, providing Arianespace with a complete vehicle inventory capable of orbiting the full range of payloads – from small scientific and institutional satellites to the largest telecommunications relay platforms and resupply spacecraft for the International Space Station.

Using Arianespace’s numbering system, the maiden Vega flight is designated VV01, with the first “V” representing the French word for flight (“vol”), and the second letter referring to Vega.

Artist's impression of Vega on the launch pad at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Credit: ESA - J.Huart, 2011

ESA PR — The first elements of Europe’s new Vega small launcher left Italy last Thursday to begin their long journey to Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, marking the final step towards its inaugural flight in January.

After several intense weeks of checking the hardware and equipment – and the shipping paperwork – Vega’s Zefiro-23 and Zefiro-9 motors and the AVUM fourth stage were carefully packed and left Avio’s facility in Colleferro, where they were built.

During the night, the convoy headed to Livorno Harbour and the stages were loaded onto the MN Colibri, a vessel that is normally used by Arianespace to carry Ariane rocket components on the same route across the Atlantic Ocean.

It then departed on its first leg to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

The fairing, built in Switzerland, the Dutch-built Interstage-1/2 structure that links the first two stages and the LARES laser relativity satellite from Italy’s ASI space agency will be loaded onto the vessel, which is scheduled to set sail on 6 October.

Some 18 days later, the ship will arrive at Dégrad de Cannes Harbour in Cayenne, French Guiana.

From there, the ship’s cargo will be taken by road to Kourou for mating with Vega’s P80 first stage, now undergoing final preparations in the Booster Integration Building.

The P80 solid-propellant motor, also built in Colleferro, awaits insertion of its igniter.

Vega’s first launch campaign

The three-month launch campaign will begin in November following the Flight Readiness Review on 13–14 October.

The first step will move the P80 stage to the pad for final testing of the thrust vector control system. The two solid-propellant second and third stages will then be added.

The campaign will continue with the integration of the AVUM – Attitude & Vernier Upper Module – and its fuelling, and further testing of the electrical systems and software controls.

Finally, the upper composite, comprising the fairing and the payload, will be mated with AVUM.

The payload for Vega’s first launch is the LARES satellite, together with nine small CubeSats from European universities.

ESA, CNES, ASI and industry teams will arrive at Europe’s Spaceport for the launch campaign in November.

“With all of the elements for Vega’s maiden flight in Kourou by mid-October, we are now looking forward to beginning the launch campaign, which will be the final step before the first flight of Europe’s new rocket,” says Stefano Bianchi, Vega Programme Manager.

This first launch, the Vega qualification flight, is planned for January 2012 and will pave the way for five missions that aim to demonstrate the system’s flexibility.

Vega is designed to cope with a wide range of missions and payload configurations in order to respond to different market opportunities. In particular, it offers configurations able to handle payloads ranging from a single satellite up to one main satellite plus six microsatellites.

Vega is compatible with payload masses ranging from 300 kg to 2500 kg, depending on the type and altitude of the orbit required by the customers. The benchmark is for 1500 kg into a 700 km-altitude polar orbit.

The FAA’s Commercial Space Transportation: 2010 Year In Review report has some interesting charts and tables that show the state of the global launch market. Russia leads the world in all categories, with the United States a distance third in commercial launches and not too far behind in non-commercial ones. China tied the U.S. for the first time with 15 launches, none of them commercial. Europe launched six Ariane V commercial missions. As for the rest of the world, there were all of seven launches, three of which sent their payloads to swim with the fishes. (Sorry South Korea and India. May 2011 be a much better year.)

But, that’s just the top level analysis. There’s much, much more. Follow me down below as we go Behind the Numbers…

The commercial launch market, in pie form….

…and the revenues from those launches, in a bar graph.

A breakdown of all U.S. launches….

…which shows a newcomer, SpaceX’s Falcon 9, making a perfect debut. ULA operates the Delta and Atlas vehicles in the chart. Orbital Sciences Corporation handles launches for the Minotaur IV, which is a converted ICBM.

Meanwhile in Russia,…

…the Proton and Soyuz variants ruled the roost, accounting for 24 of the 31 launches. The lower end of the market is served by Rockot and Dnepr M, which are both modified ICBMs. Dnepr is actually a Ukrainian rocket launched in Russia. Molniya is a derivative of the venerable R-7 booster, which launched Sputnik in 1957.

And the rest, here on Gilligan’s Isle….

China has enormous capabilities, and it is building ever larger rockets with designs on human missions to the moon. Sanctions have kept it out of the international commercial launch market, but one wonders how long that will hold. India is also interested in marketing its rockets internationally, but only the small PSLV has proven to be reliable. The Japanese H-II has proven to be too expensive to compete on the commercial market.

Suborbital Launches

There was no fancy table for this category, so I created one.

Not a good year. But, looking on the bright side: They’ve got literally no place to go but up. (Da dum dum)

The Future

A number of key developments are in the pipeline that should change these numbers significantly in the years ahead (absent the Mayan prophecy of doom coming true late next year).

But, I digress. Let’s break them down by country, region and sector.

United States

The retirement of the space shuttle later this year will reduce the number of U.S. human spaceflights to zero for a minimum of four years. ULA is also phasing out the Delta II, with only a handful of rockets left in the inventory.

ULA's Atlas V

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and ULA’s Atlas V are under consideration as boosters for NASA’s CCDev program under which the space agency would procure human flights to LEO flight services on a commercial basis. Flights with crews would not start until around 2015, but test flights would be undertaken prior to them. ULA’s Delta IV is being considered for NASA’s Orion vehicle, which is also set to debut in mid-decade.

Much will depend upon what decisions NASA makes in funding the second round of CCDev program later this year. It is almost certain that the space agency will continue funding development of technologies to human-rate the Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. Multiple commercial crew providers have used the Atlas V as their baseline vehicle. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is also in the running for human-rating funds.

The Falcon 9 has a large backlog of ISS supply flights and satellite launches. Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Taurus II is set to make its first flight later this year. The rocket will be used for eight supply flights scheduled to ISS and for satellite launches.

Another key issue is the fate of the Obama’s Administration’s proposal to upgrade the launch infrastructure and capabilities at Cape Canaveral to make the spaceport more competitive and attractive to commercial providers. Funds for this effort have been deeply cut by Congress, which if focused on programs such as the heavy-lift vehicle and Orion capsule that employ lots of people in individual districts and states.

Russia

After having led the league with 31 launches last year, the Russians will increase the pace to 48 this year. This is an ambitious agenda is somewhat worrisome as Russia begins Soyuz launches from South America (see  Europe, below) and takes over sole responsibility for crew transport to the International Space Station.

One wonders if the strain of hitting such a target is beginning to affect their work. In December, three expensive navigational satellites ended up in the Pacific after pad technicians overfilled the upper stage of a Proton with too much fuel. In February, a failure of an upper stage of a Rockot booster stranded a Russian military satellite in a useless orbit.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sacked high-level officials at Roscomos and RSC Energia after the Proton failure and reprimanded space agency chief Anatoly Perminov. The second failure resulted in even more public criticism of Roscosmos, with charges that it is falling behind in spacecraft production.

The effectiveness of Roscosmos is no small matter because the agency will take over sole responsibility for launching crews to ISS once the U.S. space shuttle retires later this year. Russian officials have said this will be a major burden in the years ahead as the Americans attempt to field a shuttle replacement around 2015. Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft and booster are extraordinary safe; there has not been a fatality with them in 40 years.

Europe

Ariane V is finally getting some company at its jungle spaceport:  Arianespace will begin launching Russian Soyuz and Europe’s Vega rockets from Kourou later this year. The medium-lift Soyuz should allow the Euro-Russian partnership to capture a share of the market for communications satellites that can be launched one at a time instead of in pairs aboard the larger Ariane V. The smaller Vega is designed to serve the lower end of the satellite market.

Arianespace plans 12 launches for 2011, including at least six Ariane 5 and two Soyuz flights. That number may be reduced due to delays in the Soyuz and Vega programs.

China

The Tiangong-1 space station with a Shenzhou spacecraft. Credit: CNSA

After tying the U.S. with 15 launches last year, China may end up launching more rockets in 2011 than America. Whatever the number of launches turns out to be, the world’s attention will be focused on one of them: the Tiangong-1 module scheduled for liftoff later this year. Tiangong-1 is a small research module that will begin hosting human crews beginning next year. It is the first step toward the construction of a space station scheduled for 2020.

An interesting question is when China will enter the lucrative commercial launch market, where it would be very competitive. The U.S. prohibits American payloads from launching on Chinese rockets.

India

The Indian space agency ISRO ended the year in disarray.The Christmas Day failure of its GSLV booster was the second failure of that rocket in 2010, and the fourth mishap in eight launch attempts. One of last year’s failures involved India’s first indigenous cryogenic upper stage, which the country had been working on for 17 years. ISRO has only one cryogenic stage left from a batch it purchased from Russia.

Until ISRO can make the GSLV reliable, the country has no chance of competing in the international market for large GEO comsats, much less launching humans into space later this decade. ISRO’s PSLV (shown at left) has an excellent  record, but its small size and low payload limits its commercial appeal. PSLV made no commercial flights last year.

There was an important development earlier this year. The United States lifted sanctions on ISRO and other Indian organizations, paving the way cooperation with American firms. Boeing and Lockheed Martin were on a recent trade mission to India led by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. Boeing, in particular, wants to work with ISRO in a broad range of areas, including human spaceflight and the cryogenic upper stage ISRO needs for the troubled GSLV rocket. We’ll see what develops out of that cooperation.

Ukraine

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, this newly-independent country inherited remnants of the nation’s space program. After some lean times and setbacks, Ukraine is about to make a comeback in the launch market.

In addition to the Dnepr, Ukraine also produces the Zenit rocket, which is launched from both land and an offshore platform. Zenit production was stalled after the Sea Launch consortium went bankrupt in 2009. The company, which has emerged from bankruptcy with 95 percent Russian majority ownership, expects to begin commercial launches again later this year. This is good news for satellite producers, which want more alternatives to Russian and American boosters.

Ukraine also has a partnership to launch its Cyclone-4 rocket from Brazil. A spaceport is now being constructed in South America, and the first test flight is scheduled for 2012. The Brazilian launch site is within about 3 degrees of the equator, making it ideal for launches to GEO.

Although it does not show up in launch statistics, Ukraine is playing a major role in OSC’s Taurus II rocket. Ukrainian companies are supplying the rocket’s first stage and are also assisting the American company with the second stage.

Suborbital Launches

The biggest impact in terms of flight numbers is likely to occur in this area. Five U.S. based companies are competing to send humans and experiments above the 100 kilometer altitude that marks the boundary of space. One European company, EADS-Astrium, has plans for a suborbital space plane.

All the U.S. companies will be conducting test flights at lower altitudes first. Once these programs are licensed by the FAA, the number of commercial flights will go up dramatically. We will see tourists and scientific researchers fly into space. XCOR and Virgin Galactic also have plans to launch small satellites using their vehicles.

If the companies receive permission to fly their vehicle aboard, then we should see flights from such places as South Korea, Kiruna, Curacao, Scotland, and UAE. The ability to reach near space without investing in a massive infrastructure and developing exotic new technologies will quickly transform the definition of a spaceport. They will sprout up like weeds and, if you live near them, will probably be just as annoying. Especially if you can’t afford a ticket.

Ariane 5

As Arianespace celebrates a successful year in which it went 6-for-6 with Ariane 5 launches and looks forward to the introduction of the Soyuz and Vega rockets in Guiana later this year, European officials have been trying to figure out how to help the consortium avoid a loss:

Europe’s Arianespace commercial launch consortium on Jan. 4 said revenue for 2010 dropped by about 10 percent compared to 2009 and that the company will report a loss unless it receives requested financial aid from European governments.

The Evry, France-based company conducted six launches of its heavy-lift Ariane 5 rocket in 2010, down from seven in 2009, and this is the main reason for the revenue drop, to slightly more than 900 million euros ($1.2 billion), in 2010.

In a press briefing here, Arianespace Chief Executive Jean-Yves Le Gall said the company would normally report a loss when it closes its books this spring but may be able to avoid it if the 18-nation European Space Agency (ESA) agrees to a new series of subsidies to offset operating costs at Arianespace and its contractors.

ESA governments in mid-December agreed in principle to some sort of cash injection. But the agency’s resolution left out any reference to a proposed package totaling 120 million euros per year for at least two years.

Space News reports that a 12-member study committee has proposed a set of “radical” proposals designed to deal with Arianespace’s profitability issues and continued need for government subsidies:

Among them is that European governments should impose an annual levy of around 3 million euros ($4 million) on commercial satellite fleet operators for each satellite that is stationed at a European-registered orbital slot. The proceeds, totaling around 100 million euros per year, would be put into a fund to be drawn down in those years when launch service revenue does not match operating and maintenance costs.

The report says such a fee, which could be collected by ESA and dispersed under clearly defined procedures, likely would require specific legal steps to be put into effect. Satellite operators, it says, benefit from the existence of a viable European launch service provider even when they do not elect to use it. By its presence in the market, the Evry, France-based Arianespace consortium prevents other rocket suppliers from increasing costs….

Generating an additional 100 million euros may not be enough, the report says, even if the modular vehicle it prescribes is built and in operation around 2025.

Scrapping the current industrial and political organization centered on Arianespace may also be necessary, it says. Arianespace “lacks the financial capabilities to face the normal risks of commercialization,” and suffers from an insufficient involvement by ESA member governments, and the executive commission of the 27-nation European Union.

Placing a smaller Arianespace inside Astrium Space Transportation, the Ariane 5 prime contractor, is one option. Another is to transform Arianespace, and the commercialization of all European launch vehicles, into an “ESA Special Project.”

The turmoil comes as Arianespace has hit its stride with the Ariane 5 launcher and is diversifying with new Soyuz and Vega rockets set to make their inaugural flights from Kourou this year. In a year-end review released today, the consortium celebrated its success in 2010 and looked forward to the future:

Eight straight years of successful launches

With 41 successful launches in a row since 2003, Ariane 5 continues to confirm its technical maturity and demonstrate its operational capabilities. Ariane 5 is the only launcher on the market capable of simultaneously launching two payloads, while also handling a complete range of missions, from commercial launches into geostationary orbit, to launches of scientific spacecraft into special orbits.

With six Ariane 5 ECA launches in 2010, Arianespace orbited 12 of the 20 commercial geostationary communications satellites that were successfully launched during the year. Furthermore, in October 2010, Arianespace and Starsem teamed up to orbit the first six satellites in the Globalstar-2 constellation.

Record backlog

Arianespace enjoyed an equally impressive year in terms of orders booked. The company confirmed its world leadership by signing a total of 12 Ariane 5 contracts for geostationary satellites, out of a total of 19 open to competition. Arianespace also signed seven new contracts for Soyuz launches, which will place 12 satellites into special orbits.

As of January 4, 2011, Arianespace’s backlog of orders stood at 29 geostationary satellites, six Ariane 5 launches of the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) to the International Space Station, and 18 Soyuz launches – a new record.

Renewed support for European launchers

At the end of 2010, the countries belonging to the European Space Agency unanimously passed a resolution to support European launch vehicles, which guarantees the company’s long-term viability.

Furthermore, Arianespace’s shareholders have restored the company’s equity, enabling it to continue its development.

The Arianespace family takes shape in 2011

Arianespace will meet new challenges in 2011, as the complete European family of launch vehicles enters service. No less than six Ariane 5 launches are scheduled, including for the ATV 2, “Johannes Kepler”, on February 15.

Arianespace will begin operating the Soyuz launch complex in April, and plans to carry out at least two Soyuz launches during the year from the Guiana Space Center. At the same time, Arianespace has planned three Soyuz launches from the Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Arianespace and ESA have also signed the production contract for the first operational launch of the Vega light launcher, while Arianespace and ELV have signed the VERTA framework contract concerning the supply of five Vega launchers following the qualification flight. Arianespace will take over responsibility for Vega launch facilities at the end of June, then carry out the first Vega launch during the second half of the year.

Arianespace plans a total of 12 launches in 2011.

It will be interesting to see what happens. This certainly points to the complexities of the launch market, something America needs to carefully consider as it moves toward relying on commercial providers.

Vega's first stage departs from the Spaceport’s Booster Integration Building at Kourou. (Credit: Arianespace)

ARIANESPACE PRESS RELEASE

A representative P80 first stage for Vega is now on the launch pad in French Guiana, marking a milestone in preparations for next year’s introduction of this lightweight vehicle, which will be operated by Arianespace in commercial missions.

The P80 first stage was rolled out to the Spaceport’s Vega launch zone on October 26 as the initial step in combined testing of Vega with its ground-based infrastructure. This full-scale stage is complete with instrumentation, and has been filled with a simulated load of solid propellant.

“The rollout involved the P80’s transfer from its Booster Integration Building to the Spaceport’s Vega launch zone, demonstrating the procedures that will be used with actual launcher hardware,” explained Claude-Henri Berna, the Arianespace Vega program director in French Guiana. “It was carried out under management of the European Space Agency and performed by the French CNES space agency, while also bringing together the launcher’s industrial contractors, along with Arianespace as the future operator.”

The Vega first stage. (Credit: Arianespace)

A special wheeled vehicle was used for transporting the Vega first stage, which is installed on a pallet similar to those used with Ariane 5’s solid propellant boosters, although smaller in size. Once positioned at the Vega launch complex, the pallet/booster combination was transferred from its low-slung transporter vehicle onto the launch pad via a short set of parallel rails.

The P80 stage was developed by Italy’s Avio for Vega program prime contractor ELV, and is one of the largest, most powerful one-piece solid-propellant boosters ever built. It utilizes a novel filament-wound case, and will burn 88 metric tons of propellant during a powered flight lasting 109 seconds.

The current combined testing phase of Vega and its ground infrastructure at the Spaceport will continue, culminating with the assembly of all four stages on the launch pad, along with the integration of a simulated satellite payload and its protective fairing. This activity will continue through the end of March 2011, and is to be followed by a qualification campaign with actual flight hardware. The completion of these steps will clear the way for Vega’s inaugural launch, which is targeted for mid-2011.

Vega’s launch site is built on the former launch pad for Ariane 1, which was the initial member of the European-developed Ariane launcher family.

ARIANESPACE PAO

Arianespace is poised to build on its successful 30-year track record as the world’s leading launch services provider – benefitting from a robust payload order book that ensures more than three years of mission activity, and supported by the extension of its launcher family with the introduction of Soyuz and Vega during 2011 at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

This was the outlook provided by Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall at Arianespace’s traditional 2010 World Space Business Week conference press breakfast in Paris, where he provided an overview of the company’s activity and offered his perspective on the satellite market’s future.

“At a time when the customers are insisting on a high level of service, we see them coming to Arianespace because of our strong commitment to quality, efficiency, flexibility and reliability,” Le Gall told international reporters. “They also appreciate our philosophy of a single-point of contact from contract signature to satellite delivery in orbit, as well as our proximity to customers with Arianespace’s worldwide presence.”

Le Gall said the acknowledgement of Arianespace’s commitment to service is reflected by the nine contracts signed so far this year for GTO satellite payloads, out of the total 13 international competitions announced during 2010.

“The result of our service quality is reflected in several of these new contracts, including the order for Hughes Network Systems’ Jupiter satellite – for which I am particularly proud,” Le Gall said.  “We first demonstrated our flexibility for Hughes with our launch of its SPACEWAY 3 satellite in 2007, which was orbited on short notice and within the promised deadline, and the customer showed its appreciation by coming back with this follow-up order.”

Another contract signed this year was for Eutelsat W3B, which was transferred to Ariane 5 from a competitive launch vehicle that could not orbit the spacecraft in time.

He said that Arianespace’s solid order book – consisting of 32 GTO satellites, along with six Ariane 5 flights for the Automated Transfer Vehicle and 17 launches specific to Soyuz – will support a sustained mission rate for the coming years.   Le Gall added that an 18th launch contract for Soyuz is expected to be announced this week.

In looking forward to Arianespace’s upcoming launch operations, Le Gall said three more Ariane 5 flights are planned before the end of 2010, which are in addition to the three dual-payload missions performed by the workhorse launcher so far this year.

The next launch is planned for October 28 with Eutelsat’s W3B satellite and the B-SAT Corporation’s BSAT-3b spacecraft.  Its date was moved into October because of satellite production delays, and Le Gall said Arianespace is planning a fast-track approach for this mission once the satellites are delivered to the Spaceport.

Arianespace’s following Ariane 5 mission is targeted for the end of November with the Intelsat 17 and HYLAS-1 payloads, while the heavy-lift vehicle’s concluding flight of 2010 is set for late December with either the no. 2 Automated Transfer Vehicle as its solo payload, or a dual-satellite launch carrying the Hispasat 1E and Koreasat 6 spacecraft.

Also included in Arianespace’s 2010 launch activity is the October 19 flight of a Soyuz from Baikonur Cosmodrome, which will be performed by its Starsem affiliate to orbit the initial batch of Globalstar second-generation satellites.  Le Gall noted this will be a first for the medium-lift Russian launcher, using an evolved Soyuz equipped with the Fregat upper stage to loft six of the 700-kg.-class Globalstar spacecraft.  The previous eight missions performed from 1999 to 2007 for Globalstar utilized an earlier Soyuz version with the Ikar upper stage, and carried four of the first-generation, 450-kg. satellites on each flight.

In 2011, three more Soyuz flights are planned from Baikonur Cosmodrome for Globalstar, carrying a complement of six second-generation satellites on each launch.

Next year also will see the introduction of Soyuz at the Spaceport, with three missions from French Guiana planned during 2011.  Le Gall said the milestone maiden flight is planned in the initial months of the year, with its payload to be determined before the end of 2010.  The choices are either the French Pleiades 1 satellite, accompanied by Chile’s SSOT small Earth observation platform and an auxiliary payload for the French Ministry of Defense, or the first IOV (in-orbit validation) satellite for Europe’s Galileo space-based satellite navigation system.

The third launcher in Arianespace’s family of commercial vehicles is the lightweight Vega, which also is planned to perform its first flight in 2011 from the Spaceport.

Looking to the satellite market’s future, Le Gall said he was upbeat about the long-term prospects. “Although there are some that say we are nearing a downturn, I believe this is a market that will continue to develop,” he said.  “For example, we know there will be a continuing need for satellite relay capacity in mobile communications, as well as for the delivery of high-definition television.  In addition, the explosion in 3D also will drive the need for satellite capacity once this type of television content starts to be delivered to homes.”

Le Gall added that he foresees strong prospects for growth in the Asian, African and Middle East regions, where many new satellite projects are in development or under evaluation.  “Taking all of this into consideration, there is a very good future ahead for the satellite industry,” he concluded.