Organisation of Ariane launch campaigns at the Guiana Space Centre - Europe's Spaceport

Julio A. Monreal

CNES, Kourou

The organisation of a commercial Ariane-4 launch campaign is a model among other complex system coordination activities. It can be defined as the art of tuning three different instruments: the spacecraft preparation activities, the Spaceport support and the launch vehicle preparation.

Spacecraft preparation is the responsibility of the launch service customer, which uses several logistic and technical supports from the Spaceport.

The Spaceport is configured and its technicians are trained to support the launch as required by each particular mission. This task is managed by the Spaceport Authority (CNES) and executed by specialised CNES and European industrial teams.

The launcher, meanwhile, is integrated and checked-out by industrial teams under Arianespace management.

The success of the launcher mission - to place the spacecraft into the correct orbit safely and with the aimed accuracy - is the ultimate goal of the launch campaign.

Organisation of an Ariane launch campaign

Campaign activities at the Spaceport start about six weeks before launch with the arrival of the spacecraft and of the launcher parts in French Guiana. The preparation work have already begun several months earlier, when the range receives a request for support both for spacecraft and launcher activities. These are specified in the Spacecraft Operations Plan, the Launcher Operations Plan and the Mission Analysis File, the latter providing the computed trajectory and the mission performance.

Launch Campaign Activities

Based on these documents, the Spaceport staff verifies its ability to support the intended mission and compiles all the information needed for the launcher tracking and telemetry tasks. All the requested range support, for both spacecraft and launcher, is then integrated into the Launch Order (DL), a contractual document between Arianespace and CNES.

The logistic and technical Spaceport teams supply the required equipment and services, which are scheduled in the Interleaved Operations Plan (POI). The POI is agreed by the three parties: the spacecraft authority (the Customer), the launch service operator (Arianespace) and the Spaceport (CNES).

From the first day of the launch campaign, the Spaceport provides a variety of equipment and services to the spacecraft and the launcher preparation activities:

• A dedicated logistic system coordinates transportation of hardware from the airport (or sea-port) to the Spaceport.

• Upon arrival of the complete stages from Europe, they are integrated and checked out step by step during the launcher preparation campaign. Several radio and electrical interface tests with the Spaceport systems (tracking, telemetry, flight safety) are also performed to verify the correct operation of all launcher-to-ground links. A launcher countdown rehearsal (RCL), including filling of the third stage with cryogenic propellants, is performed on the launch pad.

• The preparation of the payload is performed in the Payload Preparation Complex (EPCU) which is split into two zones: a spacecraft integration and checkout zone (Sl) where operations that are non-hazardous to the spacecraft (called Sl activities) are usually carried out in specific buildings, where the main check-out equipment is installed; and a second zone (S3) dedicated to spacecraft hazardous operations (called S3 activities, i.e. filling, pressurisation) performed in specially controlled buildings where safety coordination rules are strictly applied. These operations have been analysed and authorised, from a safety point of view, before the start of the campaign.

• The Combined Operations Plan (POC) can then start: the spacecraft are encapsulated (that is mated onto their respective flight adaptors, on the multiple-launch carrying structure and enclosed into the fairing). The completed 'upper composite' is mated onto the launcher, that stands integrated and checked-out on the launch pad. Each integration step is followed by electrical checks, to assure proper operation of electrical lines during flight.

About one week before launch, the spacecraft are encapsulated, forming the 'upper composite'. Safety rules limit the number of operators working close to the spacecraft, but the operation involves remote support of technicians from several teams: launch vehicle, spacecraft, Spaceport (safety, fire brigade, site management, coordination, etc.)

The Jupiter Mission Control Room monitors Information coming from remote, specialised centre (launcher firing room,spacecraft check-out, meteorology, safety, tracking and telemetry stations, telecommunications, etc.) and gives the final launch authorisation. (Photo ESA-G. Liesse)

About two weeks before launch, the assembled vehicle is rolled out to the launch pad. This operation is managed by Arianespace with support from the Spaceport services: security, transport coordination, photo and video coverage, etc. The 'upper composite', together with the spacecraft, is mated in a later phase of the campaign.

Throughout the campaign, formal reviews give the green light to start the following phase (see chart). Quality assurance procedures are applied all through the campaign phases. The three tools (Spacecraft, Launcher and Spaceport) come closer to each other and their operation becomes gradually more interdependent.

Finally, after having separately cleared launcher, spacecraft and Spaceport systems, a general launch system rehearsal (RG) clears all functions and interfaces. Two days before launch, the Launch Readiness Review (RAL) authorises the start of countdown.

The Ariane launch system is then ready to place into orbit a new couple of satellites to extend telecommunications, to improve the monitoring of the Earth's environment or to further the understanding of the Universe ...