EADS and Finmeccanica have set up the tentatively named Next Generation Launcher (NGL) Prime company to manage the European Space Agency's (ESA) Future Launcher Preparatory Programme (FLPP) once it becomes a legal entity later this year.
The new launcher developer, owned 70% by EADS and 30% by Finmeccanica, will act as ESA's industrial prime contractor and will select, on a competitive basis, first-tier suppliers for future launcher systems and subsystems.
The company has established its headquarters in Turin and has a system level engineering team in place as well as top-level management positions. A joint engine team has also been formed comprising engineers from Snecma, Avio and EADS Space Transportation's propulsion department. The new company will integrate and co-ordinate the various national launcher programmes that have existed before to sell national science and engineering assets for FLPP to ESA.
NGL Prime will also work with ESA on whether a partially or fully reusable launcher system or an iteration of Ariane will be developed, which is a political decision.
"In 2006 there has to be a political decision because we are potentially looking at two different roadmaps, and the choice is an Ariane follow-on or a totally different class of vehicle," says Dr Axel Roenneke, head of reusable systems for EADS Space Transportation and soon to become general manager of NGL Prime.
He was speaking last week at the French Association for Aeronautics and Astronautics' Fourth Re-entry Vehicles and Systems symposium in Arcachon, France.
Meanwhile, Thales and its shareholder Alcatel decline to comment on press speculation that they are considering a deal to merge the two companies' satellite businesses. Analysts say the move is unlikely because Alcatel had previously been thought to be looking to sell its stake in Thales.
ROB COPPINGER/ARCACHON
Source: Flight International
