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Astrium Space Infrastructure

Berlin/Bremen, 01 May 2002

The Space Infrastructure business division of Astrium is responsible for substantial elements of the European Ariane family of launchers, the most successful commercial launcher programme worldwide, and the International Space Station, the largest project ever in the history of spaceflight. This confirms the high level of competence and the leading role of Astrium in the fields of manned spaceflight and space transportation systems.

Established in May 2000, Astrium is a joint company of EADS (75%) and BAE SYSTEMS (25%). In the business year 2001, Astrium had a workforce of about 9,000 and registered a turnover of 1.9 billion EUR; the Space Infrastructure business division achieved a turnover of about 0.7 billion EUR with a workforce of 3,000.

Development, integration and operation of space laboratories and experiment facilities, the development and production of stages and propulsion systems for the Ariane launcher family as well as satellite propulsion systems are the key competencies of the Space Infrastructure business division. The expertise gained over a period of more than 40 years makes Astrium an internationally recognised partner in space programmes at national, European and international level.

In addition to the head office in Bremen, the Space Infrastructure business division also has branches in Ottobrunn near Munich, Friedrichshafen, Lampoldshausen and Trauen as well as an outpost in Kourou, French Guayana. There are also support teams in Houston, Noordwijk and at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Space Transportation

* System leader in the Ariane 5 upper stage EPS programme and in the development of the new, more efficient upper stages ESC-A and ESC-B
* Production and integration of the Ariane 4 second stage and the liquid-propellant boosters
* System leader in the national technology programme ASTRA for reusable transport systems and in the PHOENIX flight demonstrator programme

Space Propulsion Systems

* Prime contractor for the Vulcain and VINCI thrust chamber systems of Ariane 5, the Aestus upper stage engines of Ariane 5, and the cryogenic HM-7 engine of the third stage of Ariane 4
* Development of small engines, thrust and attitude control systems and large engines, ranging from 0.015 Newton (N) to 1 MN

Orbital Systems and Operations

* System leader in the design, development, integration, basic equipment and operation of the European research laboratory Columbus
* Prime contractor for the production of the Automated Transfer Vehicle, ATV
* Europe's expert in the development, production and operation of experiment facilities for research under microgravity conditions

Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures

RST Rostock System Technik GmbH (Warnemünde) 100%
Eurockot Launch Services GmbH (Bremen), 51%
Return & Rescue Space Systems GmbH (Bremen) 51%