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"Swords to plough-shares" - from the SS 19 to the commercial launch vehicle Rockot

Bremen/Moscow, le 21 février 2002

* Astrium subsidiary to launch two US-German GRACE research satellites in March 2002
* Breakthrough close at hand
* Industrial initiative supported by Federal Government

The Space Infrastructure division of Astrium has announced in the German Embassy in Moscow today that the German-Russian Rockot launcher will launch two US-German GRACE research satellites from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia on 16 March 2002. Rockot, which is based on the former medium-range missile SS-19, is globally marketed by the Bremen-based Eurockot Launch Services GmbH (Eurockot), a joint venture of Astrium and Russia's Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Centre. Delivery of the GRACE satellites will be the first commercial launch for Eurockot.

Dr. Werner Inden, Director New Ventures at Astrium Space Infrastructure, emphasised the many years of excellent co-operation with Khrunichev in many space projects. "With the first commercial Rockot launch, Astrium underlines its pioneering role in industrial co-operation with Russia. Our readiness to take entrepreneurial risk in a difficult market environment begins to pay off with GRACE and filling order books at Eurockot". Mr. Inden also said that during the past seven years Astrium in its function as majority shareholder in the marketing company Eurockot invested a total of more than € 40 million in this project and thus in an extremely competitive and well-priced launch system for small satellites up to a weight of 1,800 kg. "I would like to particularly extend my thanks to the Federal Government for giving a loan guarantee and for supporting and accompanying the project with so much political far-sightedness ".

Rockot's next mission, which is scheduled for June 2002, will be the dual launch of two US Iridium satellites. At the end of 2001, Eurockot was able to gain a contract to launch the Japanese satellite SERVIS-1, despite strong international competition. At the beginning of 2002, Eurockot had an order backlog of six launches.

Astrium, Europe's leading space company, is a joint company of EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (75%) and BAE SYSTEMS (25%). The Space Infrastructure business division of Astrium develops and operates space laboratories and experiment facilities. The division also develops stages and propulsion systems for the Ariane family of launchers as well as propulsion systems for satellites. Astrium Space Infrastructure is majority shareholder in Eurockot and achieved a turnover of EUR 800 million in 2000 with a labour force of 3,000.

Moscow, 21 February 2002

Your contact:
Dr. Mathias Spude
AstriumSpace Infrastructure
Phone: +49-421-539-5710
Fax: +49-421-539-4534