The launch date of 28 November has been announced for Europe’s
new 10-tonne launcher. Preparations are well underway at
Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana where a series of simulated
countdowns have been successfully carried out.

The new Ariane 5, dubbed Ariane 10 tonnes, consists of a new
cryogenic upper stage powered by the tried and trusted HM-7B
engine used on the Ariane-4 launcher. To date Ariane 4 has
made more than 100 trouble-free flights, earning it the
nickname of the Ariane workhorse.

Developed by ESA with the support of its Member States,
Ariane 10 tonnes confirms the growth potential built into the
original design of the Ariane 5 launcher. For the first time,
Europe will now be able to place into geostationary orbit a
payload weighing more than 10 tonnes. Ariane 10 tonnes is
also good news for potential customers as they will be able
to launch heavier satellites, and/or share a launch with
another customer and pay less to orbit each kilogramme.

The reason being that despite its increased size Ariane 10
tonnes costs only slightly more to produce but is more
flexible than previous Ariane launchers and can handle dual
launches of large satellites thanks to its resized fairing.
In an increasingly aggressive and competitive market, Ariane
10 tonnes is expected to soon replace Ariane 4 as the Ariane
workhorse.

Throughout the past year several developments have been
taking place at Europe’s spaceport to accommodate the new
launcher. As its new longer upper stage makes it taller
than the basic Ariane-5, the main door of the Ariane 5
final assembly building has been raised by more than 4
metres. The launch tower has also been made bigger so that
the propellant lines can reach the new upper stage to
allow fuelling.

Several full dress rehearsals have taken place, the first
in mid-October and the last on 5 November. These entailed
taking the launcher to the launch zone and filling the
cryogenic central core and the new ESC-A cryogenic upper
stage with propellant so that simulated countdowns could
be carried out. One of these proceeded through to
ignition of the Vulcain 2 main engine and startup for
14 seconds. Vulcain 2 is an increased thrust version of
the main basic Ariane-5 engine.

These successful simulations have enabled the launch team
to validate the final preparation and countdown procedures
and to set the date of 28 November for the first liftoff
of Europe’s new Ariane launcher.

Related news

* Flight 154 right on time
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESA9XMZPD4D_Expanding_0.html
* Flawless launch of a super Meteosat
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESAZ8GZPD4D_Protecting_0.html
* Ariane 5 keeps up the pace
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESA1X2KE43D_Expanding_0.html
* Flight 151 Spot on
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESA52CG18ZC_Expanding_0.html
* Successful launch of 150th Ariane
http://www.esa.int/export/esaLA/ESAFGZF18ZC_index_0.html
* Flight 149 — 4th successful launch of 2002
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESAH7GF18ZC_index_0.html

Related links

* Europe’s spaceport
http://www.esa.int/export/esaLA/ASEGCOI4HNC_spaceport_0.html
* What is a launcher?
http://www.esa.int/export/esaLA/ASEZHU0TCNC_launchers_0.html
* How do launchers work?
http://www.esa.int/export/esaLA/ASEDIU0TCNC_launchers_0.html
* Arianespace
http://www.arianespace.com/site/index_ns.html
* Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
http://www.cnes.fr/

IMAGE CAPTIONS:

[Image 1:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESADO37708D_index_1.html]
Flight 157, 22 October 2002: Europe’s new 10-tonne Ariane
5 being moved to the launch pad for a full launch dress
rehearsal. Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/Photo Service
Optique-CSG

[Image 2:
http://www.esa.int/export/esaCP/ESADO37708D_index_1.html#subhead1]
A dramatic camera angle highlights the new cryogenic arms
that will be used to fill the new Ariane 5’s ESC-A upper
stage. The arms extend from the launch table’s umbilical
mast (at right). During launch, the arms will fold inward
against the umbilical mast, providing clearance as the
Ariane-10-tonnes lifts off. Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace/
Photo Service Optique/CSG