Sequence of an Ariane 5 launcher campaign
- Operations at the launcher integration building (BIL) which last 13 days
- Operations at the final assembly building (BAF) which last 9 days
Operations at the launcher integration building (BIL)
Erection of the main cryogenic stage (EPC)
After unloading the trailer carrying the main cryogenic stage (EPC), the convoy moves along the route de l'Espace towards the North Zone. The EPC is then removed from storage at the launcher integration building (BIL) and is erected vertically along with its Vulcain cryogenic engine.Transfer and positioning of the booster stage (EAP)
Each booster stage (EAP) is transferred on a mobile carriage by train between the launcher integration building and the final assembly building covering a distance of 1.2 km.
The EAP on its pallet is moved from the mobile carriage to the launch platform.
The equipment bay is removed from storage and then integrated in the front skirt of the main cryogenic stage. The storable propellant stage is then removed from storage and integrated with the equipment bay.
The following operations are performed in the launcher integration building (BIL):
- Removal from storage and erection of the main cryogenic stage (EPC) coming from Europe,
- Installation of two boosters (EAP),
- Installation of the equipment bay and the storable propellant stage (EPS) on the main cryogenic stage.
The EAP consists of three segments :
- the fore segment is made in Italy and contains 29 tonnes of propellant.
- the intermediary and aft segments contain 109 tonnes of propellant. For safety reasons they are made in French Guiana at the Guiana propellant plant (UPG).
The EAPs are transported by road on the mobile trailer (a heavy-duty axle trailer designed for this purpose) from the Guiana propellant plant to the booster integration building (BIP). Once the EAP integration operations have been completed and also the mechanical, electrical and fluid tests, the launcher is transferred from the launcher integration building to the final assembly building (BAF).
Operations in the final assembly building
The fairings are removed from storage at the final assembly building in the encapsulation hall in the following order :
- opening of the container
- removal of fairings from storage
- inspection of fairings
- erection of fairings.
Each fairing consists of two half-structures linked together by a vertical and horizontal separation system and assembled on the launcher. The satellites are ventilated by one or two pneumatic umbilical connections. The inner side of the fairings gives acceptable acoustical insulation. Each fairing has two access hatches and specific transparent windows for each satellite.
The final assembly building is used to assemble satellites on the launcher and to perform the final preparations before transfer to the launch zone where the main cryogenic stage will be filled, and also where the launcher attitude control system will be tested. Electrical and pneumatic connections to the payloads are routed via the upper part of the umbilical mast located in the final assembly building. This upper section of the mast, which is 15 m long, is integrated with the lower part of the mast attached to the launch platform on which the launcher is standing. All of these operations are performed in the final assembly building.
The distance between the BAF and Launch area no.3 is 2.8 km. The launch platform is towed by a specially adapted road truck. The stabilised speed is from 3 to 4 km/h. An optical fibre unwound between the Launch table and the final assembly building is used for continuous monitoring of the satellites from the control console throughout the transfer operation.
The no. 3 Launch area is used for filling the main cryogenic stage and for the final countdown stage.
It consists of :
- three separate flame chutes (one for each EAP and one for the Vulcain engine).
- a 90m-high water tower. 20 m3 of water per second are poured onto the launch platform during lift-off to attenuate noise.
- connections to mobile tanks for liquid oxygen and hydrogen (ZL3)
The no. 3 Launch Centre is used for testing, safety and coordination operations for the Ariane 5 Campaign.
During the final countdown, operations on the launcher are performed from the no. 3 Launch Centre. The personnel and equipment are in shielded premises with an internal air conditioning system when the final countdown begins.
