Command and Control

Living at the rhythm of the campaign, reacting in just a few minutes to the detection of any malfunction during the final phase of the countdown, and working closely with the other operational teams to investigate system problems, these are the most important missions entrusted to the members of the MEX SCC (Command and Control Systems Maintenance and Exploitation) consortium, whose role it is to oversee the command and control systems. 

Despite this, there must be no question of them losing their calm and jeopardising their mission.  As guarantors of the availability of the networks, the consortium’s members have set up an active surveillance system to detect any anomalies in advance.  They are Ariane’s behind-the-scenes operators, working to ensure that each launch takes place without a hitch.  At the beginning of each campaign, the teams in charge of command and control of the onboard components go through a mandatory phase known as system revalidation: they check that the benches are capable of performing their mission correctly, that their power supplies are providing the right amount of power to the launcher, and that the cables linking the payloads to the table are not damaged.  If necessary, they conduct repairs to faulty equipment.  The most meticulous of inspections is accompanied by a large-scale technology watch, to avoid the situation where an obsolete item of equipment fails without a spare part being instantly available to replace it.

This preventive approach is part of a wider quality approach that aims to standardise and automate processes.  In 2007, both in order to increase efficiency and minimise the risks of human error, a scheme to standardise technical production processes was introduced, as well as the reinforcement and promotion of each team’s skills to enable them to manage the activities during dual campaigns with greater confidence.