Facilities under construction

Work on the new propellant storage area (ZSE), located in the previous propellant service area, was completed and it was handed over to ESA in mid-November.

The new storage area was chosen because it was close to the future Vega launch site and because the earlier facilities had become obsolete and were unnecessarily over-sized. CNES took every precaution to protect the environment during its development: 

 ·         Detection and safety resources were optimized by grouping various storage facilities together (for launcher propellant, satellite propellant, fuel and oxidants),

 ·         Spillage catchment basins were installed to avoid products from leaking into the ground,

 ·         A propellant drainage system, constructed of compartmentalized gutters, was created in order to retrieve toxic products and to limit environmental impact in the event of leakage,

 ·         Effluent collection and handling practices during nominal operations were adapted to liquefy gaseous effluents before handling. This is done by means of a washing column, etc.

 The Ground Sub-Directorate of the CNES Launch Vehicle Directorate supervised the ZSE construction project. CNES awarded the fluids and light current contract to Cegelec Space and the civil engineering contract to Nofrayane.