Ariane 6 is the next heavy European launch system of the Ariane family. It is being developed with the objectives to provide users with high mass performance, mission versatility, operational flexibility, high launch rate and low launch service cost. The flight segment (Launcher System), the ground segment (Launch Base) and the whole Launch System Architecture have already performed the respective Critical Design Reviews. ESA, in its role of Launch System Architect (LSA), is in charge of ensuring the coherence between the Launcher and the Launch Base, validating the Launch System performances and verifying the Launch System requirements so as to reach the above-mentioned objectives. With this goal, the LSA (ESA), the Launcher System Design Authority (ArianeGroup) and the Launch Base Design Authority (CNES) work together on building up an optimised launch operations plan to be validated during the so called Ariane 6 Launch System Combined Tests. The Combined Tests bring together the Ariane 6 Launcher, its Launch Complex and the Launch Range for the first time. The intended test sequences cover one by one all the operations and system configurations (including degraded cases) encountered during the launch campaigns. They will end with the launch facilities revalidation and reconfiguration in view of carrying out the Ariane 6 Maiden Flight. This paper presents the operational logic established to perform the Ariane 6 Combined Tests, the related Launch System, Launcher System and Launch Base tests objectives and the rational for the selected test sequences. The preliminary combined tests, dubbed “Early Combined Tests”, which main objective is to mitigate specific risks before the first interfacing between the Launcher Combined Tests Models and the Launch Complex, will be also presented as well as the specific adaptations of the Launch Complex in order to be able to carry out the Combined Tests.


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    Title :

    Ariane 6 Launch System Combined Tests


    Additional title:

    Springer Aerospace Techn.



    Published in:

    Space Operations ; Chapter : 23 ; 519-540


    Publication date :

    2022-03-16


    Size :

    22 pages





    Type of media :

    Article/Chapter (Book)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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