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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 4/97 ARIANESPACE WITH NEW CONCEPTS FOR THE FUTURE by Wolfdietrich Hoeveler Charles Bigot will give up his position as President of Arianespace in the middle of this year, he is retiring. In an interview with FLUG REVUE, he evaluates Europe's role in satellite launch services. "We must serve all market segments", Charles Bigot, Arianespace's president and an international expert for the satellite business, demands. "New markets arise in global telecommunication with its growing mobile telecommunication networks. Earth surveillance and government orders will determine the future of Arianespace." For Bigot the priority remains on minimizing the risk through reliable launch systems, most of all requiring a successfully operating Ariane 5 rocket which must also be adapted to future mission requirements: "This is a solely European task for today. Later, we must be able to offer launch solutions in the class below Ariane 5, based on market studies, either on a European level or through international cooperations." Many ways seem possible to Bigot: "We can't be 100 percent European and conquer the international market like that." In Charles Bigot's point of view, possible cooperations could be very extensive, even including the incorporation of the space center Kourou, in French Guiana. An international industrial working group has been busy since last October in developing extensive studies, including all options, to secure the leading role of Arianespace. The first results, which will be presented to the European Space Administration ESA, is to be on the table by the end of this year, offering solutions for the further course of Arianespace's satellite launch services. Bigot expects the European politics to set long-term goals, as is the practice in France. The realization of these goals is then an industry matter. In the area of small launch rockets, Arianespace has already reacted to the new development towards satellites with a weight between 2,5 and 5 tons for mobile communication networks. The Starsem joint-venture with Sojus, which was agreed on in 1996, is offering a first alternative for Arianespace in this segment. Bigot is convinced that a new small launch rocket could be developed within two years. Still, he knows that a cost-efficient rocket requires high launch rates, the current numbers not being sufficient in this respect. Charles Bigot is optimistic however, that this new phase could be reached in only two years. All existing launch systems will soon not be able to satisfy the demand. Bigot: "Then there will be a market niche for everybody." From page 41 of FLUG REVUE 4/97 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 4/97 Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated March 7, 1997