ArianeGroup
ESA confirms Ariane 6 delay to 2021
Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket won’t launch until the second half of 2021, a delay of at least six months if not more, the European Space Agency confirmed July 9.
Ruag Space CEO leaves company • Viasat, Data Link Solutions net $1 billion defense IDIQ contracts
The longtime chief executive of Ruag Space, Peter Guggenbach, is leaving to “take on a new challenge outside the company,” Ruag announced May 19.
Ariane 6 maiden flight likely slipping to 2021
The inaugural launch of Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket appears all but certain to slip into 2021 because of development delays the European Space Agency attributes to the coronavirus pandemic.
ArianeGroup expands GEOTracker telescope network • ITU forms info sharing platform for network resilience
A 35-50% decline in stock prices among several major satellite operators is likely indicative of deeper concerns than the coronavirus, according to Northern Sky Research.
EU reserves four Ariane 6 rockets for Galileo navigation satellites
The European Commission has “pre-booked” four launches using Europe’s next-generation Ariane 6 rocket.
Five upgrades ArianeGroup wants Europe to consider for Ariane 6
Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket is a year away from its maiden flight, but prime contractor ArianeGroup is already preparing upgrades its says can be introduced in the launcher’s first three years of service.
Space hardware manufacturers urge realistic expectations for 3D printing
Space hardware builders say they fully expect 3D printing to revolutionize manufacturing, but cautioned that the technology is sometimes promoted without a full understanding of its pros and cons.
European spaceport boom could benefit industry
Sweden, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Portugal and Norway all have spaceport ideas being discussed, OHB CEO Marco Fuchs said Nov. 19 at Space Tech Expo Europe here.
ESA to seek funding for more Prometheus reusable engines at ministerial
The European Space Agency will ask its 22 member states to fund an additional two to eight Prometheus reusable engines so that the agency can further its development.
Facebook, Hughes start Colombian Wi-Fi service • Ariane 6 supplier GKN Aerospace cutting 1,000 jobs
Facebook has partnered with Hughes Network Systems to launch a satellite-enabled Wi-Fi hotspot service in Colombia.
Prototype Ariane 6 carbon-composite upper stage gets ESA funding
The European Space Agency gave contracts to ArianeGroup and MT Aerospace on May 14 to develop a prototype upper stage that could lead to an advanced carbon-composite upgrade for the Ariane 6 rocket.
Avio gets ESA assurance for transition missions from Vega to Vega C
Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio, the Colleferro, Italy, company that builds the Vega and future Vega C rocket, said the ESA council session included missions for both Avio-built rockets during the transition years to Vega C.
ArianeGroup applying launch cost reduction targets to satellite components
To make Europe’s next-generation rocket more competitive, ArianeGroup aims to build the Ariane 6 at least 40 percent cheaper than the Ariane 5. ArianeGroup is applying the same cost targets to reflector antennas that go on geostationary satellites.
ArianeGroup starting Ariane 6 production after new ESA agreement
The European Space Agency’s 22 member states agreed April 17 to a workaround to get Ariane 6 production in full swing despite a dearth of public sector launch contracts.
ThinKom, Phasor, C-Com hit antenna milestones • Hughes, Inmarsat gain India IFC approvals
Antenna builder ThinKom and fleet operator Inmarsat recently announced the completion of a series of tests using ThinKom antennas and Inmarsat’s high-throughput Global Xpress satellites.
ArianeGroup and PTScientists to study lunar lander mission for ESA
ESA has awarded a contract to a group that includes Europe’s largest launch services provider and a former Google Lunar X Prize competitor to study a concept for a mission to mine lunar regolith.
Arianespace says full Ariane 6 production held up by missing government contracts
With the maiden flight of the Ariane 6 now 18 months away (in July 2020), Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël said the company had anticipated signing a manufacturing contract with ArianeGroup in the second part of last year to begin production beyond the first rocket.
ArianeGroup names new CEO
European rocket builder ArianeGroup has named Airbus Defence and Space head of operations André-Hubert Roussel to replace Alain Charmeau as CEO starting Jan. 1.
ArianeGroup to shed 2,300 employees as Ariane 6 nears completion
"The end of the development of Ariane 6 and the need to increase competitiveness in the European rocket launch business compel ArianeGroup to reduce its capacity by the equivalent of 2,300 full-time jobs by 2022," the company said in a statement.
ArianeGroup supplier GKN to 3D print turbines for reusable Prometheus engines
European rocket builder ArianeGroup, the company leading development and production of the Ariane 5 and upcoming Ariane 6 rockets, on Sept. 4 awarded a contract to a Swedish supplier for a reusable engine program.
