Ariane 5 Production To Be Increased

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Arianespace and Astrium sign agreement on Ariane 5 production increase

February 15, 2007

Arianespace and Astrium Space Transportation have decided to increase the Ariane 5 production rate, with the company's two top executives confirming the output ramp-up by signing a declaration today in Bremen, Germany.

The launch vehicles will be produced in their most powerful version – the Ariane 5 ECA – in a stabilized configuration that will guarantee both reliability and economies of scale.

By increasing the production rate, Arianespace will be able to keep pace with growing demand within the launch services marketplace, in which Arianespace holds a leading role with a market share of more than 50 percent.


After signing the production increase declaration, Jean-Yves
Le Gall (center) shares an Ariane 5 model with Bremen
Mayor Jens Böhrnsen, while Astrium Space Transportation
President Evert Dudok looks on.

The agreement puts in place the investments needed to supply seven Ariane 5 ECA launchers per year, beginning in February 2008. It also provides the possibility to perform an additional mission annually in a specific Ariane 5 version – for instance to orbit the large Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), which is to service the International Space Station.

Inking the agreement in Bremen were Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall and Astrium Space Transportation President Evert Dudok.

Astrium Space Transportation is the prime contractor in charge of Ariane production, and it leads the

Source: Arianespace - News