Ariane 5 has been flawlessly launched from Kourou, French Guiana, for the 68th consecutive time, building on the European launcher’s track record. Two satellites were launched with a total mass of more than 10 tonnes.
“Airbus Defence and Space has been tightly linked with the Ariane programme from the outset, and it will remain Ariane’s main partner through the Airbus Safran Launchers joint-venture,” said François Auque, Head of Space Systems. “The 68th successful launch in a row confirms the outstanding capabilities of our launcher teams and our ability to use our experience to put in place the industrial organisation for future European launchers. We intend to remain the driving force for one of Europe’s greatest industrial success stories.”
Airbus Defence and Space, a 50% shareholder in Airbus Safran Launchers, is the main industrial partner in the Ariane 5 programme, one of the world’s largest and most ambitious space programmes. The industrial network brings together more than 550 companies in 12 European countries. Drawing on the expertise the company has acquired and the investments it has made over 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 among the top ten global defence enterprises. It employs more than 38,000 employees generating revenues 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
