ASAP and VESPA: The Access to Space for Small Satellites

For any satellite customer, the key to “mission success” starts with the launch phase, one of the most important and sensitive periods in the whole development chain. This is especially the case for small missions built on small size platforms, for which clear rules and dedicated interface specifications must be established and followed to reach success. Although launch cost is a major driver for such missions, well established standards and corresponding experience must remain a key parameter when selecting the launch service provider. Last year, Arianespace presented its experience in launching small satellites as well as the activities that were initiated for the development of ASAP-S to improve the services for small satellites. Since this conference, major progresses have been made in this development that increases our solutions to launch small satellites with the Arianespace fleet: Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega. The first application of this new ASAP concept is foreseen on Soyuz in its configuration ASAP-S beginning 2010. In parallel, a new carrying structure, socalled VESPA dedicated to Vega is also in development, with a first application foreseen in 2011. Arianespace proposes to present the progress of the ASAP-S development, the update of the ASAP-S User’s Manual (Satellite allowable volume and mass properties, applicable environment, dedicated interface, accommodations), as well as the new carrying structure dedicated to Vega