EADS Astrium has been contracted by the European Space Agency (ESA) to undertake initial development studies for a Next Generation Launcher (NGL) that would replace the Ariane 5 rocket.
Under the terms of the E8.5m contract, of which Astrium will…
EADS Astrium has been contracted by the European Space Agency (ESA) to undertake initial development studies for a Next Generation Launcher (NGL) that would replace the Ariane 5 rocket.
Under the terms of the E8.5m contract, of which Astrium will contribute E1.5m of its own funds, the space systems developer will spend the next 15 months developing plans for a modular heavy-lift rocket that would go into service in 2025.
ESA and Astrium will concentrate on the aspects of the project that will help to improve competitiveness between now and 2025, with special emphasis on reliability, availability and lower costs, in particular operating costs. The study will focus on modular concepts capable of covering the intermediate propulsion power range.
Astrium Space Transportation CEO Alain Charmeau stated: “This contract will enable Astrium to investigate the most promising options for the next generation of European launcher in collaboration with nine European countries with past experience of working on the Ariane programme.”
The NGL project is part of ESA’s Future Launcher Preparatory Programme (FLPP) and would be phased in alongside the Ariane 5ME (Midlife Evolution), an evolved version of Ariane 5 for which a preparatory programme was set in motion during the 2008 ESA ministerial conference.
