Launch Services Alliance

Launch Services Alliance is "back-up" launch service provider alliance between the Arianespace and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.[1] In case one of the partners wouldn't be able to execute launch on time another would provide an alternative service.[2] Alliance offers this service for Ariane 5 and H-IIA expendable launch systems.

Launch Services Alliance was originally formed in July 2003 from an initiative of Arianespace[3] with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Boeing Launch Services, Boeing providing Sea Launch Zenit-3SL.[4] LSA services were used for the first time in October 2003 when Arianespace transferred satellite DirecTV-7S delayed in manufacturing to the Zenit-3SL launch on 4 May 2004.[5][6] First contract for LSA services was signed in May 2004 for the Optus D1 satellite with Ariane 5 being a primary launch vehicle and Zenit-3SL backup.[7] In 2005 LSA signed it's 5th contract.[4]

In 2007 Arianespace and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries reformed the alliance, Boeing not being part of it any more. Since fiscal year 2007 production and management of H-IIA was shifted to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and partnership with Arianespace was hoped to help company enter the market[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Arianespace conclude MOU on cooperation in commercial space rocket launches". Arianespace. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "MHI and Arianespace to Jointly Offer Satellite Launch Services". Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 24 April 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "Arianespace's operational motto: “Any mass, any orbit, any time”". Arianespace. 15 September 2004. Retrieved 18 August 2014. Arianespace also was a moving force behind the creation of the Launch Services Alliance - a powerful commercial service offering that combines the strength of three leading launch service providers to ensure on time missions for customers around the world. The Launch Services Alliance provides mission assurance by enabling payloads to be switched if necessary between Ariane 5, the Boeing Sea Launch vehicle and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' H-IIA.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Launch Services Alliance takes the spotlight in Washington, D.C. during its first news conference". Arianespace. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "Arianespace provides mission assurance to DIRECTV". Arianespace. 30 October 2003. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "SPACE SYSTEMS/LORAL-BUILT DIRECTV 7S SATELLITE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED". Loral Space & Communications. 4 May 2004. Retrieved 18 August 2014. PALO ALTO, CALIF. - May 4, 2004 - The DIRECTV 7S high power spot beam direct broadcast satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for DIRECTV Inc., El Segundo, Calif., was successfully launched at 8:42 am EDT today. The satellite was sent into space on a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned on the equator in the Pacific Ocean.
  7. ↑ "Optus D1 - Groundbreaking Contract". Arianespace. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 18 August 2014.