LAUNCHING OF THE 100th ARIANE 4

EADS LAUNCH VEHICHLES, industrial architect and prime contractor for the first and third stages of Ariane 4, celebrates the 100th launch of Ariane 4, which will be take place on October 28th from the Guiana Space Center. This 134th flight since the beginning of the Ariane programs, will launch EuropeStar.

Fruit of an exemplary cooperative venture between some forty companies in 11 countries, Ariane 4 is the concrete demonstration of how European industry can organize itself to produce a high technology product, and over a long period, guarantee its reliability while continuing to improve performance and reduce costs.

Since the creation of EADS by the merger in July 2000 of Aerospatiale Matra (France), DASA (Germany), and CASA (Spain), almost all of the Ariane launcher (except the payload fairings and the engines) is built by the same industrial group organized in two companies: EADS LAUNCH VEHICLES and ASTRIUM.

Ariane 4 has been Europe's workhorse since 1988. It is now the most reliable commercial launcher in its category with 57 consecutive successes to its credit.

Its commercial success can also be explained by its flexibility - six versions adapted to customer needs and satellite mass, its capability for launching dual payloads, enabling it to meet the needs of the international market for geostationary satellites, a market that it still dominates with a market share of about 60%.

The " P9 " production contract, signed by the manufacturers and Arianespace in 1989, concerned 50 launchers to be delivered between 1991 and 1999 for a price reduction of 20% compared to the first 21 Ariane 4's. At the time, this was considered to be a significant challenge, but it enabled setting up an " Ariane production system " with long term visibility, regular production rhythms, more flexible workloads, and rationalization of logistics and procedures.

Since the first "P9" order of 50 launchers, 45 other Ariane 4's were ordered, and cost has been reduced about 50% compared to the cost at the beginning of the program. The efforts of the whole European Ariane team, prime contractors, but also the other partners, made this effort a success.

Designed originally to launch payloads from 2 to 4.2 metric tons, into geostationary transfer orbit, continuous improvements (H10-3, H-10+, optimizations of trajectories….) have enabled launching payloads of more than 4.9 metric tons.

For EADS LAUNCH VEHICLES, Ariane activity has grown from 18% of its revenues in 1989 to 62% presently. Ariane mobilizes about 1300 people, about 350 for Ariane 4 and nearly 1,000 for Ariane 5, which already has three successful commercial launches to its credit, and will take over from Ariane 4 in 2002/3. Key dates for the Ariane 4 program July 31, 1981 Europe decides to build the ELA 2 launch complex (future Ariane 4 pad. January 13, 1982 Decision to launch Ariane 4 development June 15, 1988 First launch of an Ariane 4 (V-22) succeeds with three satellites aboard. February 15, 1989 Arianespace orders 50 Ariane 4 launch vehicles from industry (P9).The contracts are signed with Aerospatiale, SEP, MBB-Erno, and Matra. April 15, 1992 The first flight of an Ariane 4 with the H-10+ stage (V50). December 3, 1999 The 50th consecutive success for Ariane 4 (V-124).May 16, 2000 EADS LAUNCH VEHICLES delivers stages for the 100th Ariane 4. May 16, 2000 EADS-LV livre les étages du 10ème Ariane 4 (V134. October 27, 2000 The 100th flight of an Ariane 4 (V134.

Industrial orders for ariane 4

1. Ariane 4's have been ordered Before P9 : 21 vehicles P9 : Signed February 15, 1989: 50 vehicles (Covering lots P9/1 to P/5) P9/6 : Signed in March 1995 - 5 launchers P9/7 : Signed in March 1996 - 10 launchers P9/8 : Signed in March 1997 - 10 launchers P9/9 : Signed in December 1997 - 20 launchers

Who does what for Ariane 4 ?

ESA (European Space Agency) Responsable for all Ariane programs under development. Oversees the entire program for the eleven participating countries CNES (French Space Agency) Prime contractor designated by ESA during the development phase ARIANESPACE Responsable for sales and marketing and launch services during the industrial phase EADS LAUNCH VEHICLES Industrial architect during both develoment and production phases. Responsable for design studies, system level testing, technical program management, mission analyses, and preparation of the flight programs for each launch.

INDUSTRIAL RESPONSABILITIES EADS LAUNCH VEHICLES (F)

• First stage Third stage Payload adaptors * Pyrotechnics

Air Liquide (F)

• Third stage tank

Alcatel (ETCA) (B)

• - Launch control bench

Oerlikon Contraves (CH)

• - Payload fairing

ASTRIUM (RFA)

• Second stage * Liquid boosters

Fiat Avio (I)

• Solid boosters

ASTRIUM (F)

• Vehicle equipment bay

ASTRIUM (UK)

• Spelda (dual launch device)

SNECMA (F)

• Engines and propulsion systems for the three stages