CNES SEEKS TO IMPROVE GUIANA SPACE CENTRE’S AVAILABILITY TO ACCOMMODATE GROWING DIVERSITY OF LAUNCHERS AND LAUNCH AZIMUTHS
At the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), evolving launch azimuth requirements are driving demand for more northward launches. Moreover, the growing range of launchers and launch sites also needs to be factored into the equation, notably with new launchers and demonstrators in development.
Consequently, what once proved only an occasional constraint in the early 2000s, shutting down northward launches during the summer months, is today becoming an increasingly pressing concern for more and more flights.
The strong safety requirements in place at the CSG also demand that the range safety system comprising complex redundancies must function without a hitch, a single-point failure being sufficient for a launch to be scratched.
CNES has therefore decided to conduct a far-reaching review of all factors likely to affect the CSG’s availability, incorporating innovative solutions to improve it while guaranteeing people’s safety.
In particular, new systems and equipment will enable much more agile operating strategies to be envisioned.
This project, which will report directly to the CNES President, will propose measures that could be applied starting this year, at a time when the CSG’s launch manifest has several northward flights scheduled.
cp005-2020_-_disponibilite_csg_va.pdf (pdf - 245.91 KB)CONTACTS
Pascale Bresson Press Officer Tel: +33 (0)1 44 76 75 39 pascale.bresson@cnes.fr
Raphaël Sart Head of Media Tel: +33 (0)1 44 76 74 51 raphael.sart@cnes.fr
