Arianespace orders 35 more Ariane 5 launchers from Astrium
Today at the Paris Air Show, Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, and François Auque, Chairman of Astrium, signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the production of 35 Ariane 5 launchers, in addition to the batch of 30 Ariane 5 launchers ordered in 2004. The signing ceremony was attended by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, along with Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of the European Space Agency and Yannick d’Escatha, President of French CNES space agency.
Le Bourget, 23 June 2007
This order defines the contractual framework for the upcoming order for 35 Ariane 5 ECAs, the most powerful version of this heavy-lift launcher. It allows the procurement of long lead-time items to begin now, in order to ensure launcher continuity in 2010.
By making this commitment, Arianespace guarantees the availability of its launch Service & Solutions offer to handle a healthy order book now standing at 44 satellites. It will also enable Arianespace to continue to earn the confidence of satellite operators from around the world, who have made Arianespace the world leader in launch services.
As prime contractor for Ariane 5, Astrium guarantees the delivery of integrated launch vehicles to Arianespace in Guyana.
This order reflects a renewed commitment by Arianespace and the European space industry to enhance the availability, reliability and competitiveness of Ariane 5, thus ensuring Europe’s independent access to space and the best possible launch Service & Solutions for all Arianespace customers.
About Astrium
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2006, EADS Astrium had a turnover of €3.2 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are: the business units Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, and Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of €39.4 billion and employed a workforce of more than 116, 000.
Contacts for the media
| Rémi Roland | EADS Astrium (FR) |
Tel.: +33 (0)1 77 75 80 37 |
| Jeremy Close | EADS Astrium (UK) |
Tel.: +44 (0)1438 77 38 72 |
| Mathias Pikelj | EADS Astrium (GER) |
Tel.: +49 (0)7545 8 91 23 |
| www.astrium.eads.net |
| Arianespace |
Tel.: +33.1.60.87.60.15 |
