The guidance system for Ariane

The various subsystems that comprise the complete Ariane guidance system are described along with a brief background of earlier developmental instruments and their applications. The Centrale Inertielle is a part of the control and guidance system of the Ariane launcher whose function is to provide a space-stable datum allowing measurement of acceleration and attitude relative to that datum. Consideration is given to the inertial platform, the electronics unit, thermal requirements, coarse alignment and fine-leveling, and the Vehicle Equipment Bay (VEB). The VEB is the main component of the electrical system and is designed to support all the equipment handling the following functions: guidance, navigation and control, sequencer and pyro management, localization and safety management, and telemetry.