Sun, Aug 16, 2015
Firm Commitment For Development Activities Through PDR In 2016
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus Safran Launchers today signed a €2.4 billion (approx $2.67 billion) contract covering the development of the Ariane 6 launcher in its two versions, Ariane 62 and 64.
This contract includes, notably, a firm commitment of some €680 million (approx. $756 million) for initial development activities (phases A & B) up to the Preliminary Design Review scheduled for mid-2016.
Beyond the contract signed today the total amount for the development of the launcher will be approximately €3 billion ($3.34 billion), including boosters to be shared by Ariane and Vega, as well as €400 million ($445 million) of industrial investment.
“The contract - signed within a matter of months of the historic decision taken by representatives of the ESA member states during the Ministerial Conference on 2 December 2014 in Luxembourg to build a latest generation European launcher - will see industry taking on the leading role in its design and marketing,” said Alain Charmeau, CEO of Airbus Safran Launchers. “Both our and our European industrial partners’ commitment is a sign of our determination to provide our customers, whether they be institutional or commercial, with a launcher that is as reliable as ever while being increasingly competitive and adapted to the rapidly evolving space market. I would once again like to thank the European Space Agency and the national agencies, in particular the CNES, the DLR and ASI, for their support and trust.”
The Airbus Safran Launchers teams will now finalise the design of the two versions of the Ariane 6 launcher and the accompanying industrialisation process as part of a new industrial structure established within Europe to improve efficiency.
(Image provided by Airbus)
More News
With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]