France in Space #206
* 1: FIRST SPOT 5 IMAGES
The first views taken by the High Resolution Geometric (HRG) instrument
aboard CNES Spot 5 satellite were obtained on Tuesday May, 7. Initial
analysis shows that the quality of the data matches the expected technical
specifications. The first images received in Toulouse on Tuesday were
obtained in black and white and represented the city of Athens, Greece. The
pictures are available on CNES and Spot Image websites: www.cnes.fr and
www.spotimages.com. The other instruments of the payload, High Resolution
Stereoscopic (HRS) and Vegetation, have also been switched on and are
perfectly working. The DORIS orbit determination system is operating with
high accuracy. An important step has also been taken : the first orbital
adjustment to bring Spot 5 towards its final orbit at an altitude of 832
kilometers. The remaining maneuvers will take place next week.
[CNES Press Release, 05/07/2002]
** 2: BIG OVERHAUL IN EUROPEAN LAUNCH INDUSTRY
Europe’s launch vehicle sector will probably undergo some radical
reorganization by order of government ministers due to the very high costs
and the lack of competitiveness. This will be the first major overhaul in
the complicated European launch industry since the Ariane rocket series was
introduced in the late 1970s. The European governments asked the European
Space Agency (ESA) in November 2001 to come up with a restructuring
proposal by mid-June. Almost every relationship – between CNES (French
space agency), ESA and between the Arianespace commercial launch consortium
and its industrial suppliers – will be examined thoroughly according to
government and industry officials.
[Space News, 05/06/2002]
** 3: EADS IS NETWORKING ITS RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
The European Aeronautics Defense and Space Company (EADS) is planning to
increase the competitiveness and profitability of its research sector
avoiding overlapping activities among its entities. EADS, number 2
worldwide of the air and space industry, is networking all its research
activities carried out by profit centers and its French and German joint
research centers. The EADS’ objective is to avoid overlapping activities
and to stimulate the sharing of resources and findings in order to increase
cost effectiveness. “Such effectiveness is a prerequisite, since we do not
benefit from public funding such as it is the case with our American
competitors”, declares Jean-Marc Thomas, EADS technical and industrial
Manager.
[Industrie et Technologies, 05/07/2002]
** 4: NEW FRENCH GOVERNMENT
After his May 5th reelection, the French President, Jacques Chirac,
appointed a new government. The Prime Minister is Jean-Pierre Raffarin,
regional adviser since 1988 and former Minister of Small and Medium-sized
Company from 1995 to 1997. Among the 15 other ministers, Michle
Alliot-Marie has been appointed as Minister of Defense. Alliot-Marie, a
lawyer and professor, is the first woman at this position. The Minister of
Youth, Education and Research is philosopher Luc Ferry, who used to work
for the Ministry of Education. Francis Mer, president of Usinor Sacilor , a
metallurgy group, was named Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry.
[AFP, 05/08/2002]
** 5: IN BRIEF
On May 13 and 14, in the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris, Euroconsult is
organizing, in cooperation with Arianespace and Boeing, the annual world
symposium on space launchers. Some 252 executives of some 150 companies and
institutions from 25 countries should be attending this fourth symposium.
On May 14, the symposium will host the space agencies Forum on space
transportation, with the attendance of the European Space Agency (ESA),
NASA, DoD, CNES (French Space Agency), NASDA, ISRO, Rosaviakosmos, DLR, ASI
AEB and KARI [Air & Cosmos, 05/03/2002].
[From Agence France Presse (AFP), Air & Cosmos, Industry et Technologies,
SpaceNews]
