Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace, earned Via Satellite’s 2005 Satellite Executive of the Year award by returning the European launch provider to the top of its field after suffering through a difficult period. In the three years since garnering the award, Le Gall has kept Arianespace moving in the right direction, placing it firmly atop the heavy-lift launch field.

In 2008, Arianespace maintained its ambitious launch rate, performing six Ariane 5 missions and a Soyuz launch that placed a combined 70 metric tons of payload into orbit. It also launched the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle to the International Space Station last year. On the order side, Arianespace captured 13 contracts out of the 18 it identified as open to competition in 2008, bringing its backlog to 27 geostationary satellites along with missions scheduled for other orbits, and this does not include a contract to place Europe’s Galileo constellation in orbit.

"I think the most important issue so far in space is the fact that in just 12 months, from August 14, 2007, to August 14, 2008, we launched a total of nine Ariane 5s, and we launched 70 tons into orbit," he says. "The capability to make nine launches in just 12 months is a world record, and this, of course, is a consequence of our excellent track record for the number of contracts that are signed because in just 24 months (2007 and 2008), we signed a total of 24 contracts."

Le Gall spoke with Via Satellite Editor Jason Bates about Arianespace’s recent successes, as well as the launch providers plans for the future, which include six to eight Ariane 5 launches and the first Soyuz mission from the Guiana Space Center in 2009 and the introduction of the Vega light launch vehicle in 2010.

Via Satellite: Arianespace performed nine launches in a 12-month period from August 2007 to August 2008. Can you maintain that rate if your customers demand it?

Le Gall: This has demonstrated the capability of our operational team in French Guiana and also the capability of our industrial team in Europe, because we launched those satellites right on time. We have the launchers and operational capability to meet customer demand. Our launch campaigns take approximately one month. Satellites now are ready when they leave the factory. The need for the number of tests to be performed on the launch pads is now lower and the number of people who must visit the launch pad before liftoff is also smaller.

Via Satellite: What upgrades have you made on the ground to maintain this pace?

Le Gall: We have completely revised our operations. We make double and triple checks well before the launch, in order to be sure that once the launch vehicle and the satellite are ready, we launch them immediately. We do not have delays because equipment on the launch pad had not been checked. We thoroughly check everything the day before the launch so that the launch will go very smoothly and will be on schedule.

Via Satellite: Do you expect delays due to satellite deliveries, or have the satellite manufacturers improved their performance?

Le Gall: With satellites, we saw some improvements in meeting manufacturing deadlines. I understand that in 2009, there could still be delays, and we know that we must be very careful. But at the same time, we plan to have launches and reach a target which is within a couple of weeks. The manufacturers are much more punctual than three or four years ago.

Via Satellite: Given your backlog, are there any open spots on your manifest in the near future?

Le Gall: We are now in a new situation where we have very few launch slots in the near future. This means that when one launch is ready to go, we already have the launch vehicle for the next mission being integrated in parallel at the Guiana Space Center. If someone comes to see us asking for a launch slot next year, it is hard to accommodate them. Some customers now have the foresight to order the launch slots before they order the satellites to guarantee that they will have a launch slot available.

Via Satellite: Do you expect the number of launch contracts available for competition to drop throughout the next several years?

Le Gall: We think we will continue to have roughly 12 launch contracts a year. Last year it was 13, but in 2007 it was 12, and so we will see next year what the situation will be. But I should say that the fact that we signed so many contracts is a consequence of our capability and our readiness; when a customer signs a contract with us, everyone is aware that the launch vehicle which will be used three years from now to launch the satellite will be exactly the same as the one used this month. This is very important to our customers.

Via Satellite: There are concerns that some new satellite projects that have ordered launch slots may not have enough money to complete their spacecraft. Do you share that concern on any of your contracts?

Le Gall: We have launched 29 first satellites for new operators over the past 29 years and I am always pleased to see how resourceful they are at organizing and funding these projects. For newcomers today, it depends on their business plans. Companies with solid business plans that inspire confidence are usually able to find financing.

Via Satellite: Are you concerned that the continuing rise in launch prices may send some of your customers searching for less expensive options for placing their satellite into orbit?

Le Gall: We always have these discussions with our customers, but customers always want the same thing: They want the best prices and the best service and the best quality, all at the same time. But the service and quality are related to the price. If we have the track record that we have, it is because we have invested heavily in our quality system control. For instance, in the month before a launch, I may have to change a subsystem or other equipment on the launch vehicle — not because we necessarily have a problem with the launch vehicle itself, but because we do not want to take any risks, and therefore, we may change a component that isn’t functioning optimally. This, of course, has a cost. This is the price you pay to have successful launches; but the price of failure will be much higher.

Via Satellite: Do you expect more competitors to appear in the launch market in the coming years?

Le Gall: Today, it is clear that the market is already above capacity, but in spite of this, there are always new players attempting to enter the business. Over the years, Arianespace has maintained our market position because customers demand quality launch services. A lot of people explain to me that when new competition arrives, life will become very difficult. The difference between us and them is that we are well beyond the stage of making demonstration launches. We have the capacity to launch in a reliable, timely and easy manner.