Airbus Defence and Space salutes the 67th straight successful launch of the workhorse Ariane 5 satellite launch vehicle from the Kourou, French Guiana, launch pad on August 20th. The latest launch – the 225th since the Ariane program began – put two communications satellites into geostationary orbit, once again demonstrating the reliability of the European launcher.
“The fourth launch in 2015 once again highlights the expertise the Airbus Defence and Space teams and their industrial partners have developed with the Ariane 5 launcher,” said François Auque, Head of Space Systems. “These teams are now working within our joint venture with Safran – Airbus Safran Launchers – to continue on this incredible industrial adventure, which guarantees Europe independent access to space, both today and in the coming years thanks to the development of Ariane 6.”
Airbus Defence and Space, a 50% shareholder in Airbus Safran Launchers, is the main contributor to Ariane 5, one of the largest and most ambitious space programmes in the world. The industrial network brings together more than 550 companies (more than 20% of which are SMEs) in 12 European countries.
Drawing on the expertise the company has acquired and the investments it has made over a period of more than 10 years, Ariane 5 has become the most reliable commercial launcher on the global market and has increased its geostationary orbit payload capacity by almost two tonnes. Representing cutting-edge European expertise, the Ariane 5 launcher has been specially designed to inject heavy payloads into orbit.
Airbus Defence and Space
Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe’s number one defence and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and one of the 10 largest global defence enterprises. It employs more than 38,000 employees generating revenue of approximately €13 billion per year.
Press contacts:
Astrid Emerit + 33 1 39 06 89 43 astrid.emerit@airbus.com
Jeremy Close + 44 14 38 77 38 72 jeremy.close@astrium.eads.net
Gregory Gavroy + 33 1 39 06 89 42 gregory.gavroy@airbus.com
Ralph Heinrich + 49 89 607 33971 ralph.heinrich@airbus.com
Mathias Pikelj + 49 75 45 89 123 mathias.pikelj@airbus.com
Francisco Lechón + 34 91 586 37 41 francisco.lechon@astrium.eads.net
