Ariane (rocket family)

Ariane is a series of European launchers, which were developed for the European Space Agency (ESA ) from a subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS. The Ariane rocket launch from the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana, 5 ° north of the equator. The name comes from the French Ariane name for the fertility goddess Ariadne from Greek mythology. In March 1980, the company Arianespace was founded, since the financing, production, sale and launch of the Ariane rocket takes over. Owners of this company are various European aerospace company. The sole prime contractor for the serial production of the current rocket, Ariane 5, the EADS subsidiary EADS Astrium Space Transportation. Although still substantial performance improvements of Ariane 5 are planned, the start of the development of the next version of Ariane 6 is already being prepared.

History

This originally from France doctrine to ensure " autonomous access to space " (Charles de Gaulle) and thus be able to sell in orbit independent of the United States and the Soviet Union satellites, led in London in 1964 establishing the ELDO ( European Launcher Development organization ) by Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, UK, Netherlands and Australia.

The decisive factor was involved Hubert Curien, who was from 1976 to 1984 president of the Centre national d' études spatiales (National Centre for Space Research ). He was responsible for the French space policy, and especially the development of the rocket. Later he was called the father of Ariane.

Reason for the Australian commitment was the space center in Woomera, which was very beneficial for the development. Developed by the ELDO rocket were named Europe. The Europe 1 and Europe 2 models were never used commercially, then went out of the Europa 3, the Ariane 1 it.

Development and sales

Developed the Ariane rockets of aerospace companies from ESA Member States on behalf of ESA. Each Member State participating in the project was doing financial resources available. The industry of each country then got in return from the ESA development contracts in the value of the development contribution paid by the state. Since the Treaty on the series production of 65 Ariane 5 launchers the EADS subsidiary EADS Astrium Transportation single prime contractor was and is now responsible for the delivery of the Ariane 5 Arianespace. Prior to the launch company Arianespace had to order the items of the rocket at different companies and have them assemble from another selected companies.

Ariane models

Ariane 1 to 3

• Ariane 1: development of the Euro 3
• Ariane 2 Ariane 3 without the solid rocket boosters
• Ariane 3: Enlarged modification of the Ariane 1 with two additional solid boosters

Ariane 4

Notes:

Heavily modified version of Ariane 3 with a flexible design and powerful solid and / or liquid-propellant boosters. Ensure that the drive is adapted to the different payloads.

Ariane 5

Note:

• Ariane 5 ECA The current version of the Ariane 5 is an enhanced Ariane 5 rocket with cryogenic ESC-A upper stage to meet the ever increasing demand for transport options for medium and heavier satellites on the civilian market.
• Ariane 5 ES ATV - this version of the Ariane 5 rocket carried the Automated Transfer Vehicle ( ATV) to the International Space Station ISS. This space shuttle supplies there, among other supplies such as food, oxygen and fresh water or fuel for the propulsion system of the station. But the height correction of the space station, called " reboost " happens with the thrust of this space shuttle.
• Ariane 5 ME - planned version of the Ariane 5 with new ESC -B upper stage.

Ariane 6

Ariane 6 is a planned missile, depending on the version in the original plan have a payload of 3000-8000 and should Kilogramm from 2025Vorlage: Future / In 5 years, today's Ariane 5 could replace. About their construction should be decided definitively in 2014. Your first start is to 2021Vorlage: Future / In 5 years or 2022Vorlage: done tomorrow / in 5 years. Unlike the Ariane Ariane 1-5 is 6 no longer be designed for a double start of two satellites at a time in the GTO. The Ariane 6 uses solid propellant, except for the upper stage, which is driven with H2/O2. This should come from the Ariane 5 ME. Therefore, EADS-Astrium has now received on 30 January 2013 ESA commissioned the exact construction ( step sizes and number of boosters and their sizes) of the Ariane 6 with 3 to 6.5 tons payload capacity set. The ESA was on 9 July 2013, the choice of construction known. As the first stage of the Ariane 6 three solid motors are used which are mounted side by side in a row. Another one of those solid motors sits as the second stage on the central Erststufenmotor. Each of these largely identical solid motors will contain about 135 tons of solid propellant. They consist of a single piece and not a plurality of segments. The third step is to use liquid hydrogen / oxygen as fuel and have a Vinci engine. However, the tanks should be new. The payload capacity in the 5.4 m payload fairing is 3.0 to 6.5 t.

• Prior to the decision of the Authority in July 2013, there were plans that the three-stage rocket, either by using a different number of solid boosters to the respective payload weight could be adapted - or there should be two or three second stage used as the first stage, which makes it two different strength versions would have given.
• Prior to the pre-selection for the Ariane 6 on the Council of Ministers meeting in November 2012, the studies on the rocket ran as a "Next Generation Launcher ( NGL) ," made Vorentwicklungsstudien for EADS Astrium for ESA. After the then plans the Next Generation Launcher had in the first stage can burn CH4 with O2 and in the second H2/O2. The second option would be a three-stage missile that uses solid in the first two stages and burns in the third H2/O2. The third variant is also a missile with two driven with H2/O2 levels have been possible. The ESA can be developed since 2007 concepts for a "High - Thrust Engine" demonstrator. As of 2009, there were design reviews. This should lead to a new engine for the main stage of the NGL. However, these plans are now obsolete.

Note: payload for the GTO.

Model

1987 Lambert Schelter built a 5.40 meter long flyable model of Ariane, which is in the Hermann Oberth Space Museum today in Feucht. A 4.5 -meter-long and 85 -pound flyable model of the Ariane 4, which was built by a working group of the Advanced Rocketry Group of Switzerland ( ARGOS ) was successfully launched in 2002 in Amarillo, Texas, and two times in the Val de Ruz at Neuchâtel.

Community of Ariane Cities

The Communauté des Villes Ariane (CVA, " Community of Ariane Cities " ) joins the EU sites that are involved in the Ariane production.