Astrium to investigate next-generation launcher
Astrium has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to undertake studies that will see the company define a next-generation launcher for satellites.
The 15-month project has a total value of €8.5m (£7.1m), of which Astrium will contribute €1.5m of its own funds.
’This contract will enable Astrium to investigate the most promising options for the next generation of European launcher in collaboration with nine European countries with past experience of working on the Ariane programme,’ said Alain Charmeau, chief executive officer, Astrium Space Transportation.
The next-generation launcher will be phased in with the Ariane 5ME (Midlife Evolution), an evolved version of the Ariane 5. The Ariane 5ME will provide a medium-term launch capacity that will be able to place satellites with a mass of more than 11 tonnes into geostationary orbit.
The project has been divided into three parts: the concept of the launcher will first be defined, then the technology required to build it will be determined, after which the cost of building and operating it will be analysed.
Design studies will be conducted for the launch-vehicle concepts shortlisted in the first period of the programme between 2007 and 2008.
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