 |
Theme : The environment“What does it serve man to win the Moon if he loses the Earth?” François Mauriac Measurements guaranteed by outside expertsIn order to minimise any ecological damage caused by Space activities, CNES/CSG has taken several measures concerning transport, storage, waste matter, etc. Each year CNES/CSG measures and evaluates the impact of Ariane 5 launches on the environment. The purpose of this annual plan is to:
Outside expertsEach time Ariane 5 lifts off, the exhaust resulting from combustion of the launcher’s propellants (around five hundred tonnes) is dispersed in the atmosphere. This pollution only occurs at specific times (for each launch), which is not at all the case of that produced by other activities such as road or air traffic. Ground samples reveal quite significant concentrations of aluminium oxide and hydrochloric acid pollution at the launch zone, within a one-kilometre radius. Further away, very little seems to fall back to Earth. These measurements are difficult to take because the quantities to be detected are extremely low. In order to ensure the objectivity of the results, the CSG calls on outside experts to carry out the measurement plans. They are performed by organisations such as the national institute for agronomical research (INRA), the development research institute (IRD) and the national institute for industrial environments and related risks (Ineris). Water and aquatic fauna are monitored by Hydreco and avifauna by Ecobios. The results of these measurement (PME) are published openly and can be obtained on request from the Range Safety and Environment Department or the French Government service, the DRIRE, via the 'Secrétariat Permanent Pour la Prévention des Pollutions Industrielles' (SPPPI) website (Permanent Office for the Prevention of Industrial Pollution) .
Several protective measures
Transport is kept under maximum security: this involves planning, informing the appropriate authorities, using properly adapted trucks and qualified drivers, observing mandatory speed limits, all under escort by the gendarmerie and/or the CNES Transport Department. To avoid using main roads, dangerous substances are brought in through the port of Pariacabo. Storage is also a top security issue. The chemical substances used for propelling spacecraft are stored in a separate zone, with restricted access and a controlled security perimeter. Special equipment for detecting leaks, pressure and fire ensures permanent surveillance. The duty personnel are on call day and night. Losses during satellite filling are very slight, not exceeding two or three litres per satellite. Lost substances are trapped and neutralised. Environment is everybody's responsibility at the Guiana Space Centre
Intending to make environment a higher priority and to work continuously on the reduction of risk and potential impact the CSG decided for an ISO 14001 certification. This certification is not obligatory but voluntary. The first report from the ISO certification audit astonished all concerned in 2004. It revealed that the greatest effort is not to be made on an industrial level but concerns appropriate individual behaviour. Since then considerate effort has been made to inform employees on possible ways of economising energy and natural resources like:
|