Paris, December 22, 2005 – Alcatel Alenia Space applauds the successful launch of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG2) satellite designed to provide operational weather observations and environmental monitoring throughout Europe. The satellite has been successfully launched yesterday by an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. Built by Alcatel Alenia Space as prime contractor, MSG2 is the second new generation satellite in a series of four to be boosted into geostationary orbit.
The MSG satellites will offer ten times the performances provided by the first-generation of Meteosat satellites, carrying on the World Weather Watch and establishing Europe as a world leader in Earth observation from geostationary orbit. The current MSG program, of which Alcatel Alenia Space is the lead contractor, will ensure system continuity for the next ten years. The first satellite of this second generation, MSG1, is operational in orbit since 2002, meanwhile MSG3 is scheduled to be launched in 2009 and MSG4 around 2012.
Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO of Alcatel Alenia Space said: “Alcatel Alenia Space is lead contractor of the MSG program, heading a European team including over 50 subcontractors. We strongly believe that our unique experience in meteorology combined with our expertise in international program management will pave the way to successfully prepare Meteosat Third Generation program scheduled for 2015.”
Alcatel Alenia Space is heavily involved in other environmental projects based on Earth observation, especially the European Union’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program.
About Alcatel Alenia Space
Alcatel Alenia Space is the European leader in satellite systems, at the forefront of orbit infrastructures. Created in July 2005, the company brings together the vast experience and know-how of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio to form a new leading force in European space technology. Alcatel Alenia Space represents a worldwide standard for space development that impacts everybody’s future: from navigation to telecommunications, from meteorology to environmental monitoring, from defence to science and observation. An affiliate of Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA) (67%) and Finmeccanica (Milan:SIFI.MI, FNC.IM) (33%), Alcatel Alenia Space generated an estimated turnover of 1.8 billion euros with around 7,200 people in 2004.
About Alcatel
Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
