France in Space #229

** 1: ARTEMIS, FROM TOTAL LOSS TO FULL RECOVERY

The unusual route taken by Artemis to get to geostationary orbit was long
and hard, and beset with unfamiliar problems. But the mission was saved by
the skills of a dedicated team of engineers and other specialists from the
European Space Agency, Alenia Spazio, the prime contractor, Telespazio,
responsible for satellite operations at the Fucino control center, and
Astrium, which designed the ion propulsion system. Originally on board
Artemis to control small motion around its nominal position, Astrium’s
propulsion system was the key to climbing the final 5,000km to reach
geostationary altitude. These novel engines, instead of conventional
chemical combustion engines, use ionized Xenon gas. New strategies were
developed not just to raise altitude but also to counter the natural
increase in orbital inclination. About 20% of the original spacecraft
control software had to be modified. 15,000 words of software patches were
up-linked to the satellite. It was the largest reprogramming of flight
software ever done on a telecommunication satellite. Artemis – through
dogged operation of its ion engines with their very modest thrust of only 15
milli-Newton – climbed on average at a rate of 15km per day: like a small
boat with one propeller pushing a big cargo ship. Now on station, Artemis
will function as originally planned and there is sufficient chemical
propellant for 10 years’ operation.
[ESA Press Release 02/18/2003]

** 2: VEGA EUROPEAN SMALL LAUNCHER PROGRAM

ESA signed a contract with the ELV company (70% FiatAvio, 30% Italian Space
Agency) to complete the development phase of the Vega European small
launcher program. On behalf of ESA, CNES signed a contract with FiatAvio to
develop the P80 advanced solid propulsion stage and demonstrator. Vega’s
target lift capability is 1,500kg and it will place its payload into
circular orbit at a 700km altitude. The launch base to be used for Vega is
the European Spaceport at Kourou in French Guiana. The first qualification
launch is planned for mid-2006, with an expected frequency of 3 to 4
launches a year. The P80 has twofold objectives: serve as the first stage of
the launcher and develop new technologies to the future Ariane 5 solid
booster. 221 million Euros are assigned to Vega’s development and 40 million
Euros to P80’s.
[ESA Press Release 02/25/2003]

** 3: ROSETTA IS SEEKING COMET DESPERATELY

Rosetta, Europe’s most ambitious space mission, finds itself with no ideal
replacement destination. It was supposed to leave to comet Wirtanen in
January 2003. Following the failure of the latest Ariane 5 version last
December 11, managers at Arianespace and ESA (European Space Agency)
cautiously postponed this one-billion-dollar mission. After one month of
analyses, it eventually appears that only one comet,
67P/Churyomov-Gerasimenko (nicknamed Chury), could replace Wirtanen.
Actually, some comets would require flying over Venus, which would place the
automatic equipment much too close to the sun, causing some instruments to
overheat seriously. In addition, the targeted comet should not be too large,
otherwise the gravity would be too high and Rosetta’s small landing robot
would crash onto the surface. Some scientists believe that Wirtanen remains
the best target possible. A more powerful rocket would have to be used to
reach this comet. The “10-ton” Ariane 5 would fit, but it is unlikely to be
available by January 2004. The Russian Proton M rocket is powerful enough
but its fairing is 40cm too short to accommodate Rosetta. ESA is expected to
make the final decision in May.
[Le Figaro 02/22/2003]

** 4: SECOND VEGETATION INSTRUMENT ENTERS SERVICE

The VEGETATION 2 instrument on board the SPOT 5 Earth Observation satellite
was declared ready for operational service by CNES (French Space Agency) on
February 1st, 2003 – VEGETATION 1 instrument is onboard SPOT 4 launched in
1998. The new instrument has now taken over the main mission of the
VEGETATION program to study our planet’s ecosystem dynamics, providing
almost daily coverage of the globe. VEGETATION instruments acquire imagery
in the visible and short-wave infrared portions of the spectrum, at a
resolution of one kilometer and with extraordinary location accuracy (better
than 300 meters). At the end of 2001, the VEGETATION program partners (EC,
France, Italy, Belgium and Sweden) decided to give users free access to all
data products older than 3 months. This measure is contributing to the
Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Initiative (GMES) of the EC
(European Commission) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
[CNES Press Release 02/13/2003]

** 5: TRENDY SPACE SUITS

Until recently, virologists working in high-containment labs never had to
worry about what to wear. Everybody used the same US-made heavy-duty
protective suits developed more than 25 years ago by ILC Dover Inc., based
in Delaware. But no longer. For the latest in bio-safety gear, scientists
are turning to that epicenter of fashion, France. A new suit made there is
lighter, quieter and more comfortable, many say – it’s even custom-designed.
Now for the first time, the baby blue has some competition. Delta Protection
of Bagnols-sur-Cèze, already Europe’s main supplier of nuclear safety suits,
is moving into the small worldwide market. Increased airflow reduces heat
and carbon dioxide, and the air inlet is quieter for the same price, says
Delta Protection’s Samuel Ozll. This is paving the way for the next
generation of space and mars suits.
[Science 02/07/2003]

** 6: IN BRIEF

The launch of European probe Mars Express is scheduled for May 23. It will
be launched by a Soyouz-Fregat rocket from Baïkonour (Kazakhstan). [AFP
Press Release 02/14/03]]
Arianespace announced the signature of a launch contract with U.S. operator
WildBlue Communications, Inc., which follows the resumption of the WildBlue
program. WildBlue 1, the first fully dedicated Ka-band satellite, will offer
consumer high-speed Internet access. It is scheduled to be launched in early
2005. [Arianespace Press Release 02/15/2003]
Snecma (French Propulsion Company) 2002 results: The 2002 revenues reached
5.504 billion Euros. The 2002 operating income is 466 millions Euros. The
2002 orders reached 5.3 billion Euros, i.e. near the 2001 level. The order
book was worth 10 billion Euros as of December 31, 2002, compared to 9.2
billion Euros as of December 31, 2001. The Snecma Group’s forecasts are for
generally steady revenues in 2003, provided that no international event
disturbs the airline industry any further. [Snecma Press release 02/18/2003]

[From AFP Press Release, Arianespace Press Release, CNES Press Release, ESA
Press Release, Le Figaro, Science, Snecma Press Release]