Cannes, December 29, 2007 – Thales Alenia Space announced today that RASCOM-QAF1’s Launch Early Operation Procedures have been stopped due to a leakage of the Helium sub-system. The satellite was immediately put in a stable configuration.

Thales Alenia Space is currently conducting a detailed analysis. Appropriate decisions will be taken shortly with its customer RASCOMSTAR-QAF.

About Thales Alenia Space

European leader in satellite systems and at the forefront of orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Together with Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space forms the “Space Alliance” between the two groups. The company is a worldwide reference in telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. With 7200 employees and 11 industrial sites, Thales Alenia Space is located in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. www.thalesaleniaspace.com