The 47th International Paris Air Show allowed Arianespace to bolster its position as the world leader in satellite launch Service & Solutions.

New contracts

Arianespace has signed a multi-launch framework agreement with SES, the world’s leading space communications operator, providing for one or two satellite launches a year for a period of five years. This is the largest contract ever signed by the European space industry. In addition, Arianespace signed launch contracts for the following satellites: Arabsat 5 (Arab League), Thor 6 (Norway), Rascom 1 (Africa) and Insat 4G (India). At the conclusion of the 47th Paris Air Show, Arianespace’s backlog stood at 44 satellites to be launched, equal to a workload exceeding three years.

Launcher orders

To meet customer commitments, Arianespace has ordered new launch vehicles:

* 4 Soyuz launchers, to be operated from the Guiana Space Center beginning in 2009.

* 35 Ariane 5 launchers, to be launched from the Guiana Space Center starting in 2010, as a follow-on to the current production batch.

Launch manifest Arianespace launched 12 satellites in 2006, using five Ariane 5s and two Soyuz vehicles. In 2007, the company plans to perform a total of six Ariane launches and three Soyuz flights. To date, two Ariane 5s have been launched successfully on March 11 and May 4, with the next scheduled for August 14. The year’s first Soyuz was performed with success on May 30 with the next launch scheduled for September.

With these missions Arianespace is to orbit a total of 21 satellites – by far a world record.

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company, delivering innovative services and solutions to its customers for more than 25 years. Backed by 23 shareholders, including the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled launcher family, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for their culture of excellence. Arianespace has launched 246 satellites since being founded, including more than 60% of the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. It has a steady backlog of about 44 satellites to be launched, equal to more than three years of operations. www.arianespace.com