LAUNCHERS FROM EUROPE'S SPACEPORT

LAUNCHERS FROM EUROPE'S SPACEPORT

Modern life is increasingly dependent on services that rely on space-based technologies: Global communications, television, weather forecasts, Earth observation, positioning and navigation systems, security, prevention and management of natural and man-made disasters, have become part of our daily lives. These all require reliable, high-performance launch systems.

With the highly successful Ariane launchers, Europe has been able to benefit from independent access to space since 1979. The current versions of Ariane 5 can place several satellites into orbit with the same launch up to a mass of 10 tonnes in GTO, Geostationary Transfer Orbit. A special version launches ESA’s 20 tonne ATV, Automated Transfer Vehicle, to dock with the ISS.

The new Vega launcher will complement the service provided by Ariane 5, launching small satellites of up to 1.5 tonnes into low earth polar orbit. Since 2011 a version of the Russian Soyuz medium launcher completes the lift range of services offered by Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Together with national space agencies, ESA is also stimulating industrial development with new concepts and technologies for future launchers to guarantee a more competitive access to space in the long term.