The 16th International Conference on Space Operations 2020 Paper ID: 901

Space Transportation Operations (STO) (12) STO - 1 ”Launch & Re-Entry Vehicles A” (1)

Author: Mrs. Charline Dutertre European Space Agency (ESA), France, [email protected]

Dr. Julio Monreal European Space Agency (ESA), France, [email protected] Mr. Luis Escudero European Space Agency (ESA), France, [email protected] Mrs. Aline Decadi European Space Agency (ESA), France, [email protected] Mr. Pier Domenico Resta European Space Agency (ESA), France, [email protected] Mr. Frederic Munos Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), French Guiana, frederic.munos@cnes.fr Mr. Dirk Riedel ArianeGroup, Germany, dirk.mueller@ariane.group Mr. Loic Menager ArianeGroup, France, [email protected]

ARIANE 6 LAUNCH SYSTEM COMBINED TESTS OPERATIONS

Abstract Ariane 6 is the next heavy European launch system of the Ariane family. It is being developed with the objectives to provide users with: high mass performance, mission versatility, operational flexibility, high launch rate and low launch service cost. The flight segment (Launcher System), the ground segments (Launch Base) and the whole Launch System Architecture have already past the respective Critical Design Reviews. ESA, in its role of Launch System Architect (LSA), is in charge of ensuring the coherence between the Launcher and the Launch Base, validating the Launch System performances and verifying the Launch System requirements so as to reach the above mentioned objectives. With the goal, the LSA (ESA), the Launcher Prime (ArianeGroup) and the Launch Base Prime (CNES) work together on building up an optimised launch operations plan that will be validated during the so called Ariane 6 Launch System Combined Tests. The Combined Tests will bring together the Ariane 6 Launcher, its Launch Complex and the Launch Range for the first time. The intended test sequences will cover one by on all the operations and system configurations (including degraded cases) that will be encountered during the launch campaigns. They will end with the launch facilities re-validation and reconfiguration in view of carrying out Ariane 6 Maiden Flight. This paper will present the operational logic established to perform the Ariane 6 Combined Tests, the related Launch System, Launcher System and Launch Base test objectives and the rational for the selected test sequences. The preliminary combined tests, dubbed ”Early Combined Tests”, which main objective is to mitigate specific risks before the first interfacing between the Launcher Combined Tests Models (CTMs) and the Launch Complex, will be also presented as well as the specific adaptations of the Launch Complex in order to be able to carry out the Combined Tests.

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