The Spot 5 satellite was launched by an Ariane 4 on
May 3, 2002 from the Guyana Space Center, in Kourou, French
Guyana. The
Spot Earth observation system was designed by CNES (Centre
National
d&’Etudes Spatiales) and is produced by France in conjunction
with Belgium
and Sweden. Alcatel Space is a key partner in the construction
of the
satellite with a 45% stake.

Alcatel Space played a major role in the construction of the
satellite
platform by building the structural and thermal subsystems. It also
helped
develop the solar array, supplied the magnetic bearing momentum
wheels,
parts of the electrical power supply, the information
processing
architecture, pyrotechnics control unit and S-band transponders.

Alcatel Space was also prime contractor for the equipment bay, which
groups
digital data processing and transmission to the ground. On the
two HRG
(High Resolution Geometric) instruments, Alcatel Space produced
the
utilities and the detection system, and supplied the time base and
video
electronics.

Alcatel Space built the VEGETATION 2 payload, which will carry
on the
mission of VEGETATION 1, for which Alcatel was also prime contractor
on the
Spot 4 satellite launched in March 1998. VEGETATION 2 is
designed to
provide daily global coverage at 1km resolution in two visible
bandwidths
and two infrared bandwidth, all co-registered. VEGETATION 2
has a
resolution of 1 kilometer, and covers a ground swath of 2,250 km,
allowing
it to virtually cover the entire planet in a single day.

Alcatel plants of Cannes, Toulouse and Valence were all involved
in the
construction of Spot 5, along with three European subsidiaries,
which
supply components for the platform, the vehicle equipment bay and
the two
HRG instruments.

&”The launch of Spot 5 makes this year a milestone in our Earth
observation
activities", said Pascale Sourisse, Alcatel Space Chairman and
CEO.
&”Initial data from the Jason and Envisat satellites
already show that
Alcatel Space understands the enabling technologies behind
multispectral
and very-high-resolution optical observation, as well as radar
observation
systems. In short, we have the &’nose to tail&’ capabilities
needed to take a
major role in tomorrow&’s Earth observation and environmental
management
projects."

About Alcatel Space
Alcatel Space ranks among the world’s leading space systems
prime
contractors. Leveraging its dual expertise in civil and
military
applications, Alcatel Space develops satellite technology
solutions for
telecommunications, navigation, optical and radar observation,
meteorology,
and scientific applications. The company is also Europe&’s
number one prime
contractor for Earth observation, meteorology and navigation
ground
segments, as well as space systems operations. A fully-owned
subsidiary of
Alcatel (100%), Alcatel Space generated 2001 revenues of 1.4 billion
Euros
and has 6,000 employees.

About Alcatel
Alcatel (Paris : CGEP.PA and NYSE : ALA) designs, develops and
builds
innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling
carriers,
service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content,
such as
voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the
world.
Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions
portfolio,
stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and
mobile
networks to broadband access, Alcatel’s customers can focus on
optimizing
their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of EURO 25
billion
in 2001 and 99,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130
countries.