The world launcher market is evolving fast with new competitors entering each year.  In 2011 the European Space Agency (ESA) will begin operations with two new vehicles – Soyuz and Vega.  Meanwhile Ariane 5 remains the number one choice for launching commercial geostationary satellites.

In 2012 Europe’s Space Ministers will decide whether to upgrade Ariane 5 – the so-called Ariane 5 Mid-life Extension (ME) – and/or to begin the definition and development of Ariane 6.

ESA’s Future Launcher Preparatory Programme (FLPP) has been assessing the systems, technologies and requirements for Europe’s future launchers and Guy Pilchen will provide an authoritative view of the options being considered for the future, including:

• current status of the down-selection of launch system concept

• the technology developments required for reduced-mass structures and stages, thus underpinning cost optimized launch systems

• development status of integrated demonstrators, including the mid-scale demonstrator of a Staged Combustion High Thrust Engin.

About the Speakers

Guy Pilchen

Head of the Future Launcher Preparatory Programme, European Space Agency

Guy Pilchen graduated from France’s prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace (ENSAE - SUP’AERO) in 1990.  Following an industrial career in the railway sector he joined the CNES launcher team in 1998, where he was successively responsible for the development of avionic equipments for Ariane 5 and the development of the vehicle equipment bay of Ariane 5.

Since January 2007, Guy has been at ESA as FLPP (Future Launchers Preparatory Programme) Programme Manager, within the Policy and Future Department of the ESA Directorate of launchers.

Refreshments will be served from 17.30hrs and the lecture will commence at 18.00hrs.  A drinks reception will follow after the lecture.

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