After eight years of work, a total investment of €700 million and the mobilization of 46 companies (among them, GTD), the new launch pad for Ariane 6 in French Guiana has been inaugurated. The new launch pad was built on a 170-hectare site, using 900,000 cubic meters of earthwork, 55,000 cubic meters of concrete and 8,000 cubic meters of structural steel. Some 600 people worked on the project. This is the fourth launch pad construction with GTD’s contribution: Ariane 5, Vega, Soyuz and now Ariane 6. The ELA-4 is made up of the launch pad, which is the base that supports the launcher itself, and all the structures and equipment necessary for final assembly operations and launch, the launch table that is embedded in it, the mobile gantry and the umbilical mast. ESA and ArianeGroup now have the launch facilities to operate the future Ariane 6 scheduled to enter service in 2022. One of the chiefs expected benefits of this new European launcher is its great versatility, giving it the flexibility to accommodate a broad spectrum of missions and serve even the most complex requirements of both institutional and commercial customers. ELA-4’s design is driven by the dual goal of cutting launch costs and preserving the environment. Cost reductions will be achieved by integrating the launcher horizontally and automating operations, while environmental aspects were addressed head on from the outset, starting with initial archaeological excavation work in the sand quarries and continuing through to the wildlife inventory leading the CSG to cede 1,336 hectares of land to offset constructions. GTD at the heart of ELA4 Launchpad GTD has conceived, developed and installed the computer core that will control all the processes inherent to the assembly, commissioning and launch of the future Ariane 6 rocket. Aerial view of A6 Control Room Marta Escudero, General manager of GTD SPACE GTD SPACE Managers – A great day for all of us !!
