Michel EYMARD, CNES Launch Vehicles Director and Pierre BERGER , Chairman of VINCI Construction Grands Projets representing the SOYOUZ Infrastructure consortium signed on 9 December 2005 an agreement concerning the construction of Soyouz launch facilities at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), Europe's spaceport in Kourou.
The programme to build facilities for the Russian Soyuz launcher in French Guiana, led by ESA, grew out of europe's commitment to develop a full range of lauch services with the Ariane 5 heavy-lift, Soyuz ST medium-lift and Vega small laucnher.
The objective of the "Soyuz in Guiana" as to launch an upgraded version of the Russian Soyuz-Fregat launcher, called Soyuz ST, from the Guiana Space Centre (CSG). It also encompasses European participation in development of the three-stage Soyouz 2.1B. The programme's chief aim is therefore to build and qualify a Soyouz launch complex (ELS, for Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz) derived from those at the Baikonur and Plessetsk cosmodromes, adapted to French standards and CSG special requirements.
Le CNES has selected the SOYOUZ Infrastructures consortium to build this complex at the CSG on land owned by the municipality of Sinnamary. The total contract price is € 135 million exclusive of VAT. Work has starded on January 2005 and will last 31 1/2 months, with sign-off and acceptance scheduled for end August 2008.
Quick facts
The "Soyuz in Guiana" programme" only concerns unmanned flights and protective measures for human spaceflight. It covers :
- development and qualification of ground facilities for launcher and payload implementation,
- adaptation and ground qualification of the launcher to CSG special requirements, in particular ground and flight range safety requirements,
- adaptation of the launch base (BLA),
- formal qualification of the Soyouz Launch System (SLS) after the first launch
Programme responsabilities:
- ESA is contracting authority,
- CNES is prime contrator, under contract to ESA
- ARIANESPACE is the operator of the « Soyouz in Guiana» system
- ARIANESPACE is responsible for Russian programme activities, under contract to CNES, and for SLS qualification
- ROSKOSMOS, the Russian federal space agency, is responsible for Russian programme activities, under contract to ARIANESPACE. It is organizing and managing Russian industry activities for the programme.
The industrial organization is underpinned by the SOYOUZ Infrastructures consortium, comprising:
- INFRASOYOUZ grouping (VINCI Construction Grands Projets and NOFRAYANE), as lead contractor
- MT AEROSPACE (formerly Man Technologie),
- ACIA, comprising AXIMA Belgique, CRYSTAL (France), INTEMANN (Autriche) and AXIMA France
- CLEMESSY.
VINCI, is the workd leader in concessions, construction and related services, with 128,000 employees and revenues of € 19.52 billion in 2004. Its subsidiary, VINCI Construction Grands Projets, offers an unparalleled combination of capabilities, with prestigious references in building and civil engineering, and in managing complex projects. VINCI Construction Grands Projets generated revenues of € 547 million in 2004. VINCI has already accomplished many projects in Kourou since 1966, including several Ariane launch complexes, and a propellant production plant and payload preparation facility for Ariane 5.
CNES is the French space agency. With extensive know-how spanning access to space and its applications, including sustainable development, consumer applications, security and defence, research and innovation, CNES is primed to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The agency has built up end-to-end expertise in implementing space systems, supported by highly competent firms and research laboratories. Through its ability to innovate and its foresight, it is helping to expand knowledge, foster the emergence of new technologies serving society, and develop space applications.
