Thales Alenia Space, the joint company between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with ArianeGroup to produce telemetry transmitters for the Ariane 6 launch vehicle. The initial contract will cover the first 15 launchers in a program that will stretch over a period of 30 years, with delivery of 30 transmitters by the fall of 2025 to prepare for the ramp-up in operations.
Europe’s new launch vehicle combines proven and innovative solutions to address changing market requirements, while retaining the recognized reliability of the Ariane family. Thales Alenia Space in Spain is now part of this family, as a supplier on Ariane 6.
Ariane 6 is a European Space Agency (ESA) program designed to maintain Europe’s position as a leader in the fast-changing commercial launch market, while continuing to meet requirements for European government missions. The launcher will be produced in two versions: Ariane 62, fitted with two boosters; and Ariane 64, fitted with four boosters, capable of dual launches (two satellites at once). The critical milestones leading up to Ariane 6’s first launch are being carefully monitored by a special task force.
The two telemetry transmitters on each launcher are primarily designed to send launcher data to the ground throughout the launch, enabling post-launch analysis of all flight data. Rated at 30W, this high-performance transmitter was wholly designed and built by Thales Alenia Space in Spain, creating the basis for a line of spaceborne digital transmitters.
This contract follows the preliminary development contract signed for Ariane 6. It includes significant commitments in terms of progress milestones and a shared commitment to significant cost reductions in order to increase the competitiveness of the product and therefore the launcher. In turn, this should increase the partners’ joint market share, needed to ensure the viability of this initial partnership.
In addition, Thales Alenia Space in Belgium is in charge of the development and production of the range safety system and the electronic control unit for Ariane 6’s nozzle steering system.
“The contract signed during the Paris Air Show confirms ArianeGroup’s trust in the skills and expertise of Thales Alenia Space’s Spanish teams, who are now part of the European launcher story,” said Stéphane Terranova, CEO of Thales Alenia Space in Spain.
