Julian Moxon/PARIS
Arianespace is looking for cuts of up to 50% in the purchase price of its new Ariane 5 as part of its planned production order for up to 50 launchers. "We will negotiate the deal based on our cost-reduction objectives," says president, Jean-Marie Luton.
The contract would come in addition to the initial 14 Ariane 5s purchased in 1995, and consist of a first batch of up to 20 rockets, which would be ordered following a successful second launch, planned for March.
The French-led launcher consortium is also due to begin negotiations with its shareholders for an injection of an extra Fr1 billion ($16 million) of capital to support the service entry and further development of the Ariane 5.
Luton says that the Ariane 5 is "essential" for the future competitiveness of Arianespace. The concern, which booked more than 50% of launch orders in 1997, has not been successful in capturing any of the recent lucrative satellite-constellation orders.
"It is clear that we must break into the constellation market in 1998," he says. He adds that the main targets are Motorola, Skybridge and Celesti, all of which are expected to place large contracts in the next few months.
Luton says that the development of a more powerful, relightable, upper stage for the Ariane 5 is needed if the rocket is to offer the necessary flexibility to be fully competi- tive in the constellations market. Decisions on funding for this, and other planned developments, is likely at the forthcoming at the European Space Agency ministerial conference later this year.
"We're looking at being able to place 7t into orbit [with the Ariane 5] by 2001," says Luton.
A successful second Ariane 5 flight will lead to the first commercial launch of the rocket for Arianespace in September. Luton says that the aim is to build up to seven or eight Ariane 5 launches a year from 2000, in parallel with continued Ariane 4 operations at Kourou, French Guiana.
Source: Flight International
