Arianespace and EADS CASA Espacio have worked together since the beginning of the Ariane program. Structures made by EADS CASA Espacio for the inter-stage skirts and inter-tanks skirts have been used on all Ariane launchers to date.

Commenting on this contract, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said: “EADS CASA Espacio has produced components for this launcher since the first Ariane launch in 1979, including parts for the structure, payload interface, separation rings, shock attenuation system, electronic units and piping. Arianespace has always been able to count on the quality and reliability of structural parts produced by EADS CASA Espacio.”

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading launch Service & Solutions company, delivering innovative offer to its customers since 1980. Backed by its 23 shareholders and the European Space Agency, Arianespace proposes an unrivalled launcher family, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for their culture of commitment and excellence. As of 15 June 2009, Arianespace had launched a total of 269 payloads, including more than half of all the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. It has a backlog of 25 Ariane 5 and 10 Soyuz launches, equal to 3 years of business.