Arianespace says faulty carbon component to blame for failed satellite launch

By Sudip Kargupta & Tassilohmel

PARIS (Reuters) – Arianespace’s December failed satellite launch was likely to be caused by a faulty component made of carbon. According to Avio, an Italian aerospace firm, the component was purchased from a Ukrainian supplier. The company published its findings Friday.

Two and a half minutes into its flight, Arianespace’s mission carrying two Airbus Defence & Space Satellites crashed onto the ground. The crash was caused due to an anomaly with the Zefiro 40 Rocket Engine.

The latest setback in Europe’s string of setbacks as it tries to compete with China, Russia, and the United States was the failure to launch from French Guiana.

Arianespace set up an independent inquiry in order to investigate the case.

Friday’s announcement by Arianespace indicated that there were no weaknesses in the Zefiro40’s design. This is the motor that powers its second stage on the new Vega C Rocket. It is used to launch satellites in orbit.

The company stated that “The Commission confirmed the cause to be an unexpected thermomechanical over-erosion (C/C) of the carbon/carbon composite constituting the insert for the nozzle throat, which Avio purchased in Ukraine.”

Arianespace stated, however, that this particular composite material is no longer allowed to fly.

Avio is one of the Arianespace Partners, which is a competitor for Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Majority-owner is Airbus, Safran and a joint venture.

‘NOT ACCEPTABLE’

The December mission was the third in a series of eight failures to launch the Vega platform. It was launched by Arianespace and European Space Agency (ESA). This was the second launch for the Vega C rocket.

Josef Aschbacher, ESA chief, stated at a press conference Europe’s access is at risk if its national companies don’t keep pace with international competitors.

Stephane Israel (CEO of Arianespace) stated that Airbus had lost the satellites in an unacceptable manner.

Giulio Ranzo CEO of Avio, Arianespace’s main contractor on Vega C, stated that he would increase the number both of engineers and supply-chain management specialists working on this rocket.

Ranzo stated that the decision was made to source carbon material from Ukraine during rocket development, which occurred between 2015 and 2017. There was no comparable product available in sufficient quantities within the European Union at the time.

He said: “This material undergoes temperatures over 3,000 degrees Celsius (Celsius). It is highly sophisticated so even a tiny defect could lead to a loss in performance.”

According to the partners they anticipate the next Vega C launch before the end of the year.

(Reporting by SudipK-Gupta. Writing by TassiloHumble. Jane Merriman edits