Feature story
Keeping the Insurance Sector in the Loop
April 2, 2003
The major world players in the space insurance sector - including brokers, insurance and reinsurance firms from the U.S., U.K., Japan and France - came together at Arianespace's invitation for an update on Ariane 5 operations.
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| Attendees inspect a nozzle section during the Arianespace informational meeting. |
This informational meeting provided detailed information on the first launch of a 10-ton Ariane 5 version last December on Flight 157, and reviewed the Ariane 5 Generic launcher's propulsion system.
During the March 31 meeting at Arianespace's Evry headquarters near Paris, a situation overview was provided by CEO Jean-Yves LeGall. He outlined plans for the upcoming April 8 launch of an Ariane 5 Generic launcher, and underscored Arianespace's continuing policy of providing a maximum of operational and technical information to the insurance community and to Arianespace customers.
The gathering focused on technical details - addressing topics such as welding, combustion temperatures and mixture ratios in relation to the first launch of the 10-ton- Ariane 5. The consolidation of operating margins for Flight 160 with the Ariane 5 Generic launcher also was reviewed.
Prof. Wolfgang Koeschel, the Flight 157 Inquiry Board chairman, explained how corrective actions for the Vulcain 2 cryogenic main engine (which were decided after the 10-ton Ariane 5's mission last December) also are of benefit to the Vulcain 1 engine that powers the Ariane 5 Generic.
Edouard Pérez, Arianespace's Vice President of Engineering, explained that all future nozzles produced for the Vulcain 1 engine will be built to the most stringent requirements and subjected to an extensive inspection after ground tests. The engine's operating regime will be lowered in order to reduce the thermal and mechanical loads during flight. As a result, the Vulcain engines flown beginning with Flight 160 will have a further 10-15 percent improvement in safety margins related to nozzle and cooling tube integrity.
Attendees also were briefed on the performance and operating characteristics of the 10-ton Ariane 5 by Patrick Bonguet, Arianespace's Senior Vice President of Programs. Bonguet said that when the increased-lift Ariane 5 version enters service, Arianespace will be positioned to continue its dual launch operations during the coming years - even with the anticipated growth in satellite size and mass.
Arianespace managers thanked the attendees for their participation in the March 31 informational meeting, which met its goal of providing the insurance industry all of the technical information necessary so that Arianespace customers continue to obtain the best rates when they purchase an insurance policy.
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