Ariane 5 Lightning Verification Plan

The ARIANE 5 launcher shall withstand an on-ground direct lightning stroke of 5 kA or an indirect stroke of 200 kA arising on its launch pad protection system. The definition of indirect effects protections has been performed on the basis of a simplified modelisation of electromagnetic coupling. The lightning qualification has been achieved by both theoretical analysis, based on a very accurate modelisation, and various tests performed at unit and subassembly levels. This process has shown that global compatibility is ensured.