Ariane 5 E Space Rocket Scheduled to Liftoff with Support From Contraves Space and SGI
Consortium Leader Turns to SGI for High-Performance Computing and Data Management Solutions for Payload Fairing Development
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and ZURICH, Switzerland, Nov. 25 When the new Ariane 5 E space rocket lifts itself elegantly into the tropical sky over Kourou, French Guyana, on Nov. 28, 2002, the European space program will again increase its global lead in payload per space launcher.
A Swiss industrial consortium, led by Contraves Space AG, is contributing
largely to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) success. Whenever an Ariane space
rocket is launched, more than 20 Swiss companies and SGI, the
leading solutions provider for high-performance computing and advanced
visualization, support the efficient operation.
Thanks to its enormous 1,600 tons of thrust, the Ariane 5 E is the only
launcher that can simultaneously carry several satellites weighing 10 tons in
a geostationary orbit to 36,000 km altitude above the earth’s surface. In an
earth-proximate orbit of 550 km, the launcher can even carry 20 tons. This
advanced new generation launcher enables Europe to lower the price per
kilograms for satellites by approximately 40 percent.
Every Gram Counts During Launch
Contraves Space is the world leader when it comes to payload fairings. The
fairing, the topmost part of the launcher, performs the vital task of
protecting the expensive satellites from aerodynamic, thermal and acoustic
loads during the flight stage through the earth’s atmosphere. To date, the
innovative Swiss company can claim that all 160 payload fairings used have
functioned reliably. This is due to Contraves Space AG fairings employing a
CFK fabrication system that uses composite fiber-reinforced plastic. Thus
these payload fairings are considerably superior to those of the competition
in terms of weight for the same volume and price.
When the controlled jettisoning stage of the payload fairing takes place
at 110 km altitude, it is imperative to ensure that the two halves separate
from the launcher and do not collide at any point with the rocket accelerating
between the semi-fairings. Before each launch, ESA demands an exact forecast
of the minimum clearance that is afterwards precisely verified by the
telemetric data gathered from sensors, such as breaking-wire sensors, that are
mounted on the payload fairings.
Precise Product Development Requires Powerful Computing
All space products have to guarantee sufficient strength at the smallest
possible mass to be able to resist the high-pressure forces during the launch
phase and the extreme temperature differences in space. For this reason,
Contraves Space is dependent on comprehensive simulation in the development of
its products. High-performance computing and visualization systems provided by
the SGI Switzerland team are particularly important for testing and evaluating
the thermal and dynamic behavior of the payload fairings and satellite cells.
Using an SGI® Origin® server, for example, enables calculations for
optimizing the payload fairing jettisoning process or the oscillation behavior
of the satellite cells. In addition, postprocessing enables Contraves to
determine the effects of vibration, acceleration, temperature and shock stress
so the calculations can be visualized, analyzed and recorded.
In order to compute and manage the enormous flow of data during product
development, Contraves Space has for the first time brought together all of
its high-performance client and server systems into a productive environment
based on the CXFS(TM) filesystem. CXFS from SGI is the industry’s fastest
shared filesystem for storage area networks (SANs), providing no-compromise
data sharing, enhanced workflow and reduced costs in data-intensive
environments by eliminating file duplication and the time it takes to move
large files over the network. CXFS also provides heterogeneous client support
for the IRIX®, Solaris(TM) and Windows NT® operating systems. At present,
10 Silicon Graphics® Octane2(TM) workstations, one SGI® Onyx® 3000
series visualization system and one SGI Origin server are connected to the
CXFS filesystem at Contraves, providing optimal access to a central data
store.
Andreas Herren, manager of dynamics and CAE research and development for
Contraves Space has relied on SGI® systems for more than 10 years. “The
system installed enables us to save an enormous amount of time during
interactive processing on our workstations,” Herren commented. “The
implementation of CXFS has enabled Contraves Space to be in a position to
avoid bottlenecks in its LAN. Moreover, the SAN implementation provides the
prerequisite for a LAN-free backup, which will in turn further reduce the
administrative costs for the next phase.”
For more information about SGI solutions for the automotive, aerospace and
manufacturing industries, visit www.sgi.com/industries/manufacturing/.
About Contraves Space AG
Contraves Space AG is a division of the Swiss Unaxis group with
headquarters in North Zurich and has been an acknowledged partner in the
European space industry since the 1960s. Currently, the company employs 330
personnel and specializes in developing, fabricating and testing payload
fairings for space launch vehicles and structures for satellites, as well as
manufacturing precision devices and instruments for scientific exploration of
space. Contraves Space is also developing and manufacturing future-oriented
terminals for communication between satellites, based on high-precision laser
technology. With its high performance computing and matching data management
solutions, SGI provides the corresponding environment for companies like
Contraves Space AG, enabling them to successfully meet the demands of the
fast-changing market in the future. For more information about Contraves Space
AG, visit www.contravesspace.com.
About the European Space Agency
ESA is a multinational organization founded in 1975 to pursue joint civil
space projects. Currently there are, besides Switzerland, 13 European member
states and Canada in the organization. The ESA program is divided into
separate elements, such as the scientific project program for the exploration
of space, the development of European space transport systems and the European
contribution to the ISS (International Space Station). The ESA launching
program comprises technology and navigation, geophysical observation and
microgravity.
About SGI
Celebrating its 20th year, SGI, also known as Silicon Graphics, Inc., is
the world’s leader in high-performance computing, visualization and the
management of complex data. SGI products, services and solutions enable its
technical and creative customers to gain strategic and competitive advantages
in their core businesses. Whether being used to design and build safer cars
and airplanes, discover new medications and oil reserves, predict the weather,
entertain us with thrilling movie special effects or provide mission-critical
support for government and defense, SGI systems and expertise are empowering a
world of innovation and discovery. The company, located on the Web at
www.sgi.com, is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., and has offices
worldwide.
NOTE: Silicon Graphics, SGI, Onyx, Origin, IRIX, Octane and the SGI logo
are registered trademarks and CXFS, XFS and Octane2 are trademarks of Silicon
Graphics, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries worldwide. Windows NT is a
registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the
property of their respective owners.
CONTACT: Shelley Miller, +1-256-864-3422, or shelleym@sgi.com, or
Milva Naguib, +39-02-575-61-318, or milvan@sgi.com, both of SGI, or SGI PR
Hotline, +1-650-933-7777, or fax, +1-650-932-0737
