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Feature story

Transition at French Guiana: a new manager for Arianespace at the Spaceport

March 31, 2010

The head of Arianespace’s office at the Spaceport in French Guiana is a true job of multi-tasking. 

This manager’s responsibilities include providing support for the company’s launch teams during mission campaigns, functioning
as an interface with Arianespace’s customers on-site during launch preparations, working with the two other key players involved in Spaceport operations (the French CNES space agency and the European Space Agency), and representing the company in its relations with the local community in French Guiana.

For the past five years, Michel Bartolomey has been this “go-to” person, fulfilling his responsibilities during a period when Arianespace ramped up its Ariane 5 flight rate and preparations moved into full swing for the company’s upcoming introduction of
the Soyuz and Vega launch vehicles.

Bartolomey is retiring after a long career in the space sector and with the Ariane program – which included 25 years at Arianespace.  He came to French Guiana from Arianespace’s program directorate and its business development sector, bringing hands-on experience gained as the Launch Site Operations Manager and Ariane Production Project Manager on several Ariane missions, and serving as the company’s Deputy Industrial Director.

“Throughout a long career, you demonstrated your skills and capabilities, as well as warm human qualities with a real interest in your collaborators,” explained Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall.  “You brought an attitude of mutual respect, a sense of humor and a true team spirit – which has been appreciated by all.”

His replacement is Patrick Loire, who is from the “commercial” side of Arianespace, having been the company’s Vice President of Customer Service.  “The choice of someone with my background reflects Arianespace’s philosophy of further reinforcing our ties with the customers,” said Loire.  “I look forward to a very busy period that will see the startup of Soyuz and Vega missions from the Spaceport, along with the continued sustained launch rate with Ariane 5.”