European aerospace companies Airbus Defence & Space and Safran are to form a 50-50 joint venture that will combine the launcher assets of their rocket propulsion systems. In the first phase of the plan Airbus and Safran would create a joint programme…
European aerospace companies Airbus Defence & Space and Safran are to form a 50-50 joint venture that will combine the launcher assets of their rocket propulsion systems.
In the first phase of the plan Airbus and Safran would create a joint programme company to combine their respective civil launch contracts and orders. The two parties’ industrial assets would then be contributed over time in order to create the jointly-owned company.
The proposal, which outlines a key role for each shareholder in their legacy activities especially in France and Germany, now requires the necessary board approvals. The signing of the first phase and initial start of operations are expected before the end of the year.
The move reflects a realisation in Europe that to remain competitive in the global launch business in the future, the industrial structure for the Ariane rocket had to change, especially in bringing down its production costs. The emergence of SpaceX and its lower launch prices has had a significant impact in particular.
Tom Enders, chief executive officer of Airbus Group, explained:”It’s all about enhancing the competitiveness of our space launcher business going forward. The Ariane programme has been hugely successful during the last 30 years, but in order to remain relevant and competitive for the future we need a much more efficient industrial structure.
“This is what the customers expect from us. Our agreement with Safran is the starting point of an exciting journey towards a more integrated, more efficient and hence more profitable launcher business in Europe.”
This view was echoed by Jean-Paul Herteman, chairman and CEO of Safran, who added: “Among an increased number of actors worldwide and in addition to high technological challenges, European industry must provide competitive solutions for all space segments, among which launchers remain at the forefront. Today, we are at a defining moment to drive change as we have to be more agile, our products more affordable, and our structures more integrated.
“This new joint entity will be a major worldwide player in the launcher domain, with the aim to benefit from growth and better serve institutional as well as commercial customers.”
The joint venture will capitalise on the preparatory activities for the new Ariane 5ME and 6 rockets undertaken during the last two years under the leadership of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French Space Agency CNES.
The development of Ariane 5 ME launcher with its improved upper stage Vinci engine will now be accelerated so its entry-to-service time will be sooner. The qualification flight for the rocket was originally scheduled for mid-2018.
The two parties have also announced a jointly agreed configuration for the lighter lift Ariane 6 rocket. While the full funding of this launcher, which would be capable of launching a single satellite weighing up to 6.5 tonnes, is still to be finalised, the intention is to make it commercially available after 2021.
