Ariane 5 ES on its way to the launch pad
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

[Via Satellite 09-04-13] Following the first meeting of the joint government-industry committee on space, the French Minister of Higher Education and Research announced that the government was allocating 25 million euros ($33 million) to an upgrade of the Ariane 5 launcher, within the scope of France’s Investment Program for the Future (PIA).

The upgrade will increase the available volume under the fairing, adding up to 2 meters in payload height for Arianespace‘s launch customers, without carrying a performance penalty. This upgrade, scheduled for implementation in 2015, is designed to address the current trend in geostationary telecommunications satellites, which are gradually becoming larger as their power and complexity both increase.

“Through this upgrade, whose cost has been kept to a minimum, Arianespace will be able to keep pace with market requirements and continue to meet our customers’ expectations. There is a tremendous amount at stake for the launcher industry, which counts over 10,000 employees in France and in Europe,” said Stéphane Israël, Arianespace chairman and CEO.