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Thales Alenia Space deliver the SIRAL-2 radar altimeter

11 February 2008

Cannes, February 11, 2008 - Thales Alenia Space is glad to announce that SIRAL-2, the SAR Interferometer radar altimeter that will be embarked onboard the CryoSat-2 mission, has been delivered in due time to EADS Astrium GmbH (Immenstaad in Germany), the prime contractor of the CryoSat-2 mission.

SIRAL-2 is the main scientific instrument of the CryoSat-2 satellite, an ESA (European Space Agency) program, which will determine the rate of change in the thickness of continental and at-sea ice fields, with unprecedented accuracy. This program has a crucial role in the knowledge of climate evolution.

Jean-Louis Etienne, Pole explorer, prominent witness of climate change and SIRAL-2 godfather, was present during this exciting moment of delivery that represents several years of design, development, production and test by the expert engineers and technicians of Thales Alenia Space in Toulouse.

With the SIRAL-2 contract, Thales Alenia Space consolidates its position as the world leader in space altimetry. Following the very successful Poseidon oceanographic altimeter, SIRAL-2 signs a new generation of spaceborne alimeters.

CryoSat-2 is expected to be launched in March 2009 and will be operational 3.5 years, that could be extended to 5 years.

About Thales Alenia Space
European leader in satellite systems and at the forefront of orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Together with Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space forms the "Space Alliance" between the two groups. The company is a worldwide reference in telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. With 7200 employees and 11 industrial sites, Thales Alenia Space is located in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium. www.thalesaleniaspace.com