lighter engines a headache for satellite launcher ariane
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Lighter engines a headache for satellite launcher Ariane

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice Lighter engines a headache for satellite launcher Ariane

Paris - AFP

Arianespace rockets excel at lifting the heaviest payloads into space, but a new technology allowing for lighter satellites is causing another big bang for an already fast-changing industry. The number one commercial launch operator, Arianespace is under intense pressure from a new slate of lower-priced rivals, including US start-up Space X. But now lighter-load electric propulsion used by satellites once in space is also attacking the company's hold on the business. Also known as ion or plasma engines, in 2012 US aerospace giant Boeing was the first to commercially offer a satellite engine that uses electricity from solar panels for thrust. Most satellite makers followed suit in 2013. While the thrust is weaker than chemical propelled engines, thus taking months instead of weeks to move a satellite after its launch to its final orbit, it uses much less propellant. This can cut a satellite's launch weight by half, allowing it to be lifted by less powerful rockets, thus lowering costs and creating an opportunity for rivals. To counter the threat by upstart Space X and other new competitors from India and Japan, the 20 nations that are part of the European Space Agency decided in November 2012 to develop a more powerful launcher and start studies on a second one. The first is an update of their heavy-lift rocket, the Ariane 5, and should come on line by 2018. The Ariane 5 ME, for midlife evolution, would increase the lift capacity of what is already the biggest commercial rocket to just over 11 tonnes from 10 tonnes. Simultaneously, at the insistence of France, they began planning for a sleeker Ariane 6 to be ready around 2020 that would be capable of launching 6 tonnes. In order to be profitable, the Ariane 5 series must carry two heavy satellites, which can entail delays. By cutting launch costs, the Ariane 6 makes single satellite launches financially possibile. - Either-or, not both - But France's position has changed and is causing divisions with its ESA partners. A report by France's national auditor released last week disclosed that Paris now wants to drop the Ariane 5 ME to keep down development costs and push forward with Ariane 6. The alternative option of "pursuing the two programmes, according to a calendar still to be worked out ... risks a delay to Ariane 6 to a later date -- towards 2025," the auditor said. Continuing with the Ariane 5 ME is clearly the preference of Berlin, France's top partner in the ESA. "The German position is that we should continue with the Ariane 5 ME to get it onto the market as quick as possible and reflect on what the future launcher should be," the head of Germany's DLR space agency, Johann-Dietrich Woerner, told AFP. "It won't be possible to finance both programmes 100 percent at the same time. We still need to decide if we move forward with Ariane 6," he said. While the necessity of launching two satellites is a constraint, it also reduces fixed costs, he said. Arianespace itself feels the Ariane 5 ME is well adapted for electric propulsion satellites, the first of which Space X is scheduled to launch at the end of this year. After conducting a market study about electronic propulsion satellites, Arianespace believes "there will be a lot of small and medium-sized satellites, and no longer the domination of big satellites that we have seen these last years," said chief executive Stephane Israel. With a capacity to lift a payload of more than 11 tonnes, the Ariane 5 ME will prove advantageous in that it can lift multiple satellites. "You can even put three satellites in an ME, a big one and two small ones," Israel told AFP. And Ariane 6, also powerful enough to lift two small satellites, will provide an "ultra-competitive" launch offer for customers, he said. But the question remains whether a market exists for Ariane 6 in its current form. And if smaller satellites prevail, it will also find itself with the same disadvantage as Ariane 5 of launching in pairs. And it will be too big for medium-sized satellites, according to France's national auditor, which will be better served by the Russian Soyuz rockets used by Arianespace for that segment.

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

lighter engines a headache for satellite launcher ariane lighter engines a headache for satellite launcher ariane

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

lighter engines a headache for satellite launcher ariane lighter engines a headache for satellite launcher ariane

 



GMT 10:31 2014 Tuesday ,23 December

Mirages of failure: Lebanon cannot wait

GMT 09:26 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

France says it fell short on greenhouse gas emissions

GMT 07:31 2017 Tuesday ,19 September

Bahrain to develop 100 MW solar power plant

GMT 10:24 2017 Tuesday ,14 March

Sheikha Lubna: Parents have responsibility

GMT 05:14 2024 Wednesday ,07 February

Sophisticated Classic Dining Room Design Ideas

GMT 16:02 2017 Wednesday ,11 January

iflix signs multi-year deal with Pakistan’s Hum TV

GMT 17:18 2017 Wednesday ,15 February

Egyptian TV host Lubna Assal optimistic about future

GMT 08:45 2017 Monday ,17 July

Pakistan launches massive offensive

GMT 09:39 2017 Saturday ,01 July

British banking institutions suspend

GMT 07:05 2017 Thursday ,16 November

Terrorist involved in police bus explosion arrested

GMT 20:20 2012 Monday ,30 January

Ministry of Health signs contract with Wekaya

GMT 04:55 2016 Monday ,16 May

English Premier League leading scorers

GMT 17:23 2014 Saturday ,24 May

Weather forecast for world cities

GMT 23:34 2011 Tuesday ,13 December

Belhadj: Barça match is a celebration
 
 Emirates Voice Facebook,emirates voice facebook  Emirates Voice Twitter,emirates voice twitter Emirates Voice Rss,emirates voice rss  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

emiratesvoieen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen
emiratesvoice emiratesvoice emiratesvoice
emiratesvoice
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice