Europe is already thinking about what the future of launchers will be from 2015 onwards.
Extension of Ariane 5’s operational capability of has been prepared since 2006 in order to offer Arianespace a launcher fully adapted to the market and its evolution. A decision is expected from the 2008 Ministerial Conference to start development of a new Ariane 5 version including a new-generation cryogenic upper stage which will be more powerful and capable of multiple re-ignitions. The aim is a first flight at the end of 2014.
This new-generation upper stage will be an essential building block for any future launcher that will either succeed Ariane 5 or have to respond to the exploration mission needs which will be one of the most important space conquests of this century. Through ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP2) agreed in 2005, launcher concepts for the 2020–2025 horizon are currently under investigation and the required enabling technologies (propulsion, materials, structures, and technologies for a cryogenic re-ignitable upper stage) are being studied. Demonstrators, such as the intermediate experimental atmospheric re-entry vehicle (IXV), which brought together the former national initiatives, are already included in this programme.
The creation of the company NGL (70% Astrium and 30% Finmeccanica) in 2006 has made a significant contribution towards bringing together on-going national initiatives in preparing for future launchers.
Astrium is ready and able to continue its leadership on the programmes of tomorrow through ESA’s programmes and its own investments.
