Thales Alenia Space ETCA has just signed a contract with the Astrium company to provide electronic equipment and services for the Ariane 5 launchers (PB batch) which will be launched between 2011 and 2015.
This batch will include 35 ECA-type launchers (with cryogenic upper stage) capable of putting a mass of up to 10 tons into geostationary orbit. Thales Alenia Space ETCA will design and manufacture 21 electronic modules for each of the 35 launchers of the PB batch. These modules will serve to distribute the electricity on board the launcher, guide it by controlling the position of the jet nozzles, transmit the stage separation orders for the launcher and the nose cone protecting the satellites and, finally, to give the self-destruct order for the launcher were it to go off course. Thales Alenia Space ETCA will also assume responsibility for manufacturing and for processing obsolescences of components for two electronic boards of the inertial guidance systems of Ariane 5. These boards make it possible to calculate in real time the position of the launcher and the evolution of its velocity.
Simultaneously, Thales Alenia Space ETCA will continue to handle the maintenance, operation, and continuity of the command and control and computer systems (control benches) of the launch equipment for the next Ariane 5 launch vehicles. This includes maintaining in operating condition the IT systems for integrating the launcher, assuring the launch campaigns, and developing methods and systems which make it possible to continuously improve the safety, availability and reliability of the launches. These operations are conducted by a team of 20 employees of Thales Alenia Space ETCA who are based permanently in Kourou, at the Ariane 5 launch base in French Guiana. Thales Alenia Space ETCA is also preparing a partnership with Astrium concerning the entire Electrical and Software System (ESS) of the Ariane 5 launcher in order to validate the evolutions of the launcher in progress and process the future evolutions. The ESS covers the backup, power distribution, piloting and remote measurement systems. Additionally, Thales Alenia Space ETCA will ensure reliable electronics, with the Sabca, for controlling the cryogenic upper stage for Ariane 5 Midellife Evolution (ME).
