France in Space #221
** 1: “10-TON” ARIANE 5 FIRST LAUNCH IS ON HOLD
The launch of Arianespace’s first “10-ton” Ariane 5 has been postponed following an anomaly that occurred during the final phase of the launch preparation sequence. 6.8 seconds before the transmission by the on-board control to ignite the Vulcain 2 engine, the ground operation control system simultaneously gave the order to open the cryogenic arms and initiate the external igniters (AMF) of the launch table, whose function is to ignite the hydrogen which pre-chills the engine. The igniter activation status report failed to reach the ground operation control software, following which the onboard control system did not trigger the ignition sequence as scheduled at -3.0 seconds. Operations then ceased. The launch vehicle, Hotbird 7, Stentor, and the launch system went into safe mode. The launch is now scheduled for December 11th, 2002, with a launch window comprised between 5:22 pm and 6:14 pm. [Arianespace Press Release, 11/29/2002]
** 2: NEW FRENCH RESEARCH POLICY FOR THE UPCOMING YEARS
Claudie Haigneré, French Minister of Research and New Technologies, has presented the government research program for the years to come. Mrs. Haigneré announced a set of measures aiming to boost France’s research sector, which lags compared to that of other countries. These measures will also help to optimize the national research system, e.g. improve public bodies’ governance by setting new priorities, methods and qualitative as well as quantitative objectives; increase project financing and the transparency of projects’ assessment; set up a human resources management activity; strengthen the link between the public and private sectors; take into account the European research sector in the making. While maintaining the focus on fundamental research, Mrs. Haigneré defined high priority sectors: biomedical research; sustainable development; new technologies; information and communication technologies and sciences; space policy. She also insisted on making science part of everyday life, to encourage young people to choose a scientific career, and make scientific culture a priority.
[Press Release of the Minister for Youth, Education and Research, 12/04/2002]
** 3: 4TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON LIQUID PROPULSION FOR SPACE LAUNCHERS
From December 3 to 6, in Lieges, Belgium, CNES (French Space Agency) and AAAF (French aeronautics and astronautics association), organized the 4th international symposium on liquid propulsion for space launchers. As the three former symposia on launchers technologies inaugurated in 1999, this one was entirely devoted to heavy liquid propellant for space launchers. It mainly focused on the various technologies and their future developments. The objectives of the symposium, organized by CNES’s launcher branch in partnership with the main European players, were to: gather professionals involved in the building of propulsion engines and systems from space agencies, industries and specialized labs; boost exchanges of ideas on topics related to the design of propulsion engines and sub-systems; promote scientific and technological innovations which can be applied to future engines; and make recommendations for the future.
[CNES Press Release, 11/25/2002]
** 4: EUTELSAT ADDS NEW CAPACITY FOR BROADBAND INTERNET AND TV BROADCASTING
Eutelsat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators has brought new capacity into service for broadband Internet access and direct-to-home (DTH) satellite television broadcasting in western and central Europe. The company is delivering services at 33 degrees East through the EUROBIRDTM 2 satellite (formerly HOT BIRDTM 5). EUROBIRDTM 2 is a Ku-band satellite with a high-power super-beam coverage. The satellite’s proximity to EUROBIRDTM 1 at 28.5 degrees East, that serves six million digital satellite homes in the UK, opens new synergies for Internet Service Providers and broadcasters. The satellite is also equipped with a SKYPLEX payload. SKYPLEX enables digital television and data broadcasters to uplink individually from the rooftops of their premises and to be directly received by DVB terminals, thereby bypassing the need to deliver signals to an on-ground multiplex through a contribution link. Through a configuration of narrowband and wideband transponders, EUROBIRDTM 2 is particularly well suited for one-way and two-way broadband services for consumer, SOHO and SME markets.
[Eutelsat Press Release, 11/27/2002]
[From Arianespace Press Release, CNES Press Release, Eutelsat Press Release, Press Release of the Minister for Youth, Education and Research]
