Astrium - the double prime contractor for the 54th Ariane 5 launch

Kourou, 22 November 2010

* Astrium is the prime contractor for the HYLAS 1 satellite payload
* Astrium is also responsible for Ariane 5’s development and delivery

The Highly Adaptable Satellite (HYLAS) 1, which was designed and built by Astrium for the satellite broadband operator Avanti Communications, has been fully fuelled and integrated with the Ariane 5 launch vehicle at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

HYLAS 1 is scheduled to be launched on an Ariane 5, for which Astrium is also the prime industrial contractor, on the 26th November between 6.39pm and 9.54pm GMT. The Astrium teams on site at the Guiana Space Centre are now busy with final preparations for what will be the 54th Ariane 5 launch.

HYLAS 1 will bring high-speed broadband services to remote rural areas across Europe, using its ?highly adaptable’ payload, developed by Astrium, primarily at its UK sites in Portsmouth and Stevenage. The payload operating in Ku and Ka bands is designed to allocate varying amounts of power and bandwidth to the different regions within its footprint, reacting to the highs and lows of traffic demand.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bangalore was responsible for the HYLAS 1 platform and satellite’s integration

The UK Space Agency and Technology Strategy Board have provided support for the development of HYLAS 1 through the UK subscription to the European Space Agency ARTES programme.

Astrium was selected as the sole prime contractor for Ariane 5 in 2003. Astrium Space Transportation delivers the fully assembled and tested launch vehicle to Arianespace, the commercial launch service provider. Astrium Space Transportation also supplies all the Ariane 5 stages, equipment bays, flight software and numerous sub-assemblies.

Astrium oversees the entire industrial chain and is committed to providing Arianespace, who are responsible for the commercial marketing and launch of the Ariane 5, with a launcher that offers maximum reliability. It is this unique strategy of industrial collaboration that has allowed the Group to develop such a reliable launch vehicle, which has chalked up 39 successful consecutive flights.

About Astrium

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2009, Astrium had a turnover of €4.8 billion and more than 15,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and Astrium Services for comprehensive end-to-end value-added solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, high security satellite communications equipment, bespoke geo-information and navigation services worldwide.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 42.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 119,000.

Press contacts:
Daniel Mosely
Astrium United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 14 38.77 81 80
Fax: +44 14 38.77 30 69

Matthieu Duvelleroy
Astrium France
Tel.: +33 1.77 75 80 32
Fax: +33 1.77 75 80 18

Ralph Heinrich
Astrium Germany
Tel.: +49.89 60 73 39 71
Fax: +49.89 60 72 97 65

Francisco Lechon
Astrium Spain
Tel.: +34 91.5 86 37 41
Fax: +34 91.5 86 37 82