France in Space #218

** 1: INTEGRAL, SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH

On Thursday October 17, 2002 at 6:41 a.m., INTEGRAL, ESA (European Space
Agency) gamma ray astrophysics laboratory, was successfully launched by a
Russian Proton launcher. It was put into orbit at 8:13 a.m. (Central
European Summer Time). The solar panels were deployed as planned. The
satellite parameters, provided through telemetering, are normal.
Instruments such as the SPI spectrometer developed under internal prime
contractorship at the Toulouse Space Center, and the IBIS telescope
developed in collaboration with the CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission),
are being checked and tuned. The first scientific data of the various
instruments will be available around mid-November 2002. The Integral
spectrometer, weighing some 1300kg, is an international astrophysics
laboratory, that is dedicated to the study of the gamma ray. Its main task
will be to enable the observation of nuclear reactions which will lead to
the constitution of the various elements of the universe (supernovae,
neutron stars, black holes…) and which can be detected through the
emission of gamma rays.
[CNES Press Release, 10/17/2002 and Press Release of Minister of Youth,
National Education and Research, 10/18/2002]

** 2: FIRST TEN-TON ARIANE 5 IS ON ITS WAY TO BE LAUNCHED

On October 15-16, the Launch System Rehearsal for the upcoming launch of
the 10-ton payload Ariane 5 fulfilled its major objectives. These include
the simultaneous filling of the two cryogenic stages, which constitutive of
the EPC main stage and the ESC-A upper stage, followed by synchronized
sequences up to ignition of the Vulcain main upper stage engine, and engine
operation for 14 seconds, as foreseen. The data collected during the
rehearsal is now being processed. Passing this milestone allows Arianespace
to consolidate its targeted launch date, now set for no earlier than
November 20. For its 11th launch of the year Arianespace will orbit two
satellites: HOT BIRDTM 7, a communication satellite for Eutelsat, and
STENTOR, a space telecommunications and technology demonstrator satellite
for CNES (French Space Agency).

[Arianespace Press Release, 10/22/2002]

** 3: SNECMA: FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE FIRST HALF OF 2002

After the annual growths of 20% over a 5-year period, SNECMA’s turnover has
faltered by 9% compared to the first semester of 2001, to reach 3,091
million Euros. This figure is in line with the projection of a 10% dip over
2002. The breakdown of the activity remains stable: Propulsion 64%, and
Equipment 36%. 83% of the sales concern the civilian sector and 17% the
military sector. The orders that were made during half of 2002 amounted
2.75 billion Euros, which in comparison to the first semester of 2001,
reflects stability. As of June 30, 2002, the order book (including spare
parts and excluding maintenance and repair) amounts to 10,5 billion Euros.
[Snecma Press Release, 10/07/2002]

** 4: CIVILIAN BUDGET OF RESEARCH IN 2003

During a Press Conference on September 25, 2002, Claudie Haigneré, the
French Minister of Research and New Technologies, released the Civilian
Budget of Research and Technological Development for 2003 (BCRD 2003). The
BCRD project 2003 is clear-cut: in 2010, France should be dedicating 3% of
its GDP to research and development (2.2% of GDP in 2001). To meet this
objective, the share of the State budget should increase, in addition to
the GDP growth and according to the private sectors’ investment level in
research, i.e. between 2.2% and 4.1% on an average each year. For 2003, the
government is to dedicate 9,600 million Euros to BCRD, that is to say a
5.3% increase, or 2.9% more than the GDP growth in 2003. These public funds
include new financed means (8,846 million Euros) and extension of credit
(720 millions Euros in 2002). The BCRD 2003 underlines five main
objectives: draw young people to research; develop an open and strong
private research sector; develop synergies between public and private
research to support innovation; support large industrial and strategic
space and air programs; and make science a part of everybody’s life.
[Press Conference from Claudie Haigneré, Minister for Research and New
Technologies, 09/25/2002]

** 5: IN BRIEF

Roger-Maurice Bonnet, from CNES (French Space Agency) who is the Assistant
Director General of Science, has been elected President of the Committee on
Space Research (COSPAR). He succeeds Gerhard Haerendel. Created in 1958,
COSPAR is an international forum that is open to scientists worldwide. The
organization’s objectives are to promote space research at an international
level and to provide a forum for scientists to discuss issues concerning
scientific space research.
[CNES Press Release, 10/17/2002].

[From Arianespace Press Release; CNES Press Release; Press Conference from
Claudie Haigneré, Minister for Research and New Technologies; Press Release
of Minister of Youth, National Education and Research; Snecma Press Release]