— EADS Astrium

Galileo satellite GIOVE-B marks its first year in orbit

Astrium demonstrates the technical feasibilities for Galileo

Long-term measurements conducted on signal quality
High-precision atomic clocks provide superior performance

Dr. Reinhold Lutz, Director of Navigation, Astrium said: “The success of GIOVE-B proves Astrium’s expertise in developing complex navigation satellites. This mission has enabled engineers to carry out the necessary in-orbit tests of the new technologies required for Galileo and lead the way for a navigation system that is vital to both Europe’s economic and technological future.”

GIOVE-B was launched into a Medium Earth Orbit on board a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on April 27, 2008. After completion of an intensive in-orbit test campaign, the satellite was declared fully operational in July 2008.

Since then, GIOVE-B has been broadcasting its navigation test signals around the Earth to ground receivers, allowing engineers and researchers the opportunity to perform long-term measurements of the signal quality. Notably, GIOVE-B is the first satellite to transmit the Multiplexed Binary Offset Coding modulation standard from space, thus paving the way for its future roll-out on Galileo.

The GIOVE-B satellite carries three high-precision atomic clocks, including a passive hydrogen maser - the most accurate time reference ever orbited in space, with an accuracy of better than 1 nanosecond per day. The in-orbit behaviour of the maser has proven to be outstanding, boosting confidence that this and other critical new technologies will deliver the superior performance expected of the Galileo system.

Astrium was the prime contractor and navigation payload lead for GIOVE-B in Germany and the UK respectively. Thales Alenia Space (Italy) provided the support for satellite assembly, integration and test.

Galileo is a joint European Space Agency and European Union programme and will comprise a constellation of 30 dedicated satellites coupled with an associated ground support network offering users satellite navigation with a positioning accuracy of less than a metre. Galileo is due to become fully operational in 2013.

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2008, Astrium had a turnover of €4.3 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 the development and delivery of satellite services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, EADS generated revenues of €43.3 billion and employed a workforce of more than 118, 000.

Press contacts:

Dan Mosely (Astrium UK) Tel.: +44 (0)1 438 77 8180

Matthieu Duvelleroy (Astrium FR) Tel.: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 32

Francisco Lechón (Astrium SP) Tel.: +34 91 586 37 41

Mathias Pikelj (Astrium GER) Tel.: +49 (0) 7545 8 9123

www.astrium.eads.net

NAVCOM TECHNOLOGY INC Partners With Astrium Services

Precise positioning solutions for Europ
Decimeter accuracy using StarFire™ for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)

Through this new alliance, Astrium Services will become the sole European supplier of NavCom’s GNSS product and positioning solutions, including the StarFire™ Network, NavCom’s global decimeter-accurate satellite-based augmentation system (GSBAS).

"By providing the stand-alone accuracy of the global StarFire™ Network along with precise positioning solutions, our new partnership with Astrium Services has the potential to bring GSBAS to new and important market sectors including defense, civil security and aerospace,“ said Michael Lindsay, Chief Operating Officer for NavCom Technology. "This partnership is an exciting milestone as we offer Europe’s premier space technology firm the same precise positioning technology, that has made John Deere a world leader in precision agriculture by enabling increased machine productivity and a reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

”This agreement perfectly complements our existing Axio-Net Network-RTK services covering Germany which can provide accuracy to within 2cm, and firmly positions Astrium Services as the leading supplier of precise positioning services in Europe. We look forward to integrating this exciting technology into both our EADS products, for example UAVs, and our services such as cadastral surveying and precision mapping.” said Rudolf Henneberger, Director of Navigation in Astrium Services.

About EADS Astrium

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2008, Astrium had a turnover of €4.3 billion and more than 13.000 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 the development and delivery of satellite services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, EADS generated revenues of €43.3 billion and employed a workforce of more than 118, 000.

About NavCom Technology, Inc.

NavCom Technology, Inc., a John Deere Company (NYSE:DE), is a leading provider of advanced GPS products for OEMs, VARs and system integrators requiring high performance RTK systems, global decimeter level GPS satellite corrections, geodetic quality GPS receivers, wireless communication products and engineering consulting in the areas of precise positioning, wireless communications and robotics.. For more information on NavCom Technology, Inc. and its products, please visit www.NavComTech.com.

Press contacts:

Jeremy Close (Astrium UK) Tel.: +44 (0)1 438 77 3872

Matthieu Duvelleroy (Astrium FR) Tel.: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 32

Mathias Pikelj (Astrium GER) Tel.: +49 (0) 7545 8 9123

Francisco Lechón (Astrium SP) Tel.: +34 91 586 37 41

Cheryl Kung (NavCom Technology) Tel: +1 310 381 2852

www.astrium.eads.net

www.navcomtech.com

Green light from Baikonur: Giove-B ready for launch

: The European satellite navigation system Galileo is a step nearer to becoming a reality: The Giove-B navigation satellite has received unconditional clearance for launch. The Soyuz launch vehicle with the satellite on board has already taken up its final launch position at Baikonur Cosmodrome. Giove-B is scheduled to lift off at 00:16 (CEST) on 27 April 2008 and move into the orbital path reserved for Galileo at an altitude of over 23,000 km. Developed and manufactured by Astrium, the satellite will carry Galileo’s key technologies into space for the first time, and is a trailblazer for the overall system...

Approved for launch
All systems operating correctly
Communications with control centre in Fucino tested
Galileo technology goes into space

Baikonur, 24 April 2008 - The European satellite navigation system Galileo is a step nearer to becoming a reality: The Giove-B navigation satellite has received unconditional clearance for launch. The Soyuz launch vehicle with the satellite on board has already taken up its final launch position at Baikonur Cosmodrome. Giove-B is scheduled to lift off at 00:16 (CEST) on 27 April 2008 and move into the orbital path reserved for Galileo at an altitude of over 23,000 km. Developed and manufactured by Astrium, the satellite will carry Galileo’s key technologies into space for the first time, and is a trailblazer for the overall system.

Prior to this, Giove-B underwent final tests at the European Space Research and Technology Centre ESTEC of the European Space Agency ESA in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. As prime contractor, Astrium was responsible for manufacturing the navigation satellite, which it completed on schedule as agreed with the customer.

Dr. Oliver Juckenhöfel, head of future navigation projects at Astrium GmbH, outlines the milestones in the satellite’s development: “Giove-B survived the journey to Baikonur very well. The fact that all systems are now operating exactly as expected makes us very optimistic. Another milestone was successfully establishing communications with the mission control centre near Rome”.

“Our team tests every single step before, during and after launch, to ensure that Giove-B will have a safe journey into orbit. When it gets there, Europe’s most advanced navigation satellite will demonstrate the outstanding achievements of European technology in space,” declares Juckenhöfel.

Albrecht Woelker, Giove-B project manager at Astrium GmbH, comments on the final preparations for launch: “Giove-B passed its comprehensive tests successfully. After having being mounted on the Fregat upper stage of the Soyuz launcher, the satellite is now ready for launch precisely on schedule.

“Our Astrium teams on site at Baikonur Cosmodrome and at the ground control centre in Fucino near Rome are monitoring the final launch preparations in close agreement with ESA and the people responsible for the rocket, and carrying out the ‘dress rehearsal’ for countdown. The commissioning of Giove-B will move the Galileo programme a decisive step forwards.”

As prime contractor for Giove-B, Astrium is responsible for developing, manufacturing and delivering the satellite, its payload and the ground control segment. The German Astrium site in Ottobrunn is supplying a broad cross-section of its product range in the form of the avionic subsystem with central on-board computer, the assembly of the photovoltaic cells within, the solar generator. Astrium UK designed and manufactured the payload, which included integrating and testing the Space Passive Hydrogen Maser (S-PHM) clock within it. The Portsmouth-based team was also responsible for the development, installation and test of the Ground Satellite Control system at the operations centre in Fucino, Italy, as well as at the IOT (In Orbit Test) station in Redu, Belgium, including the antenna. Astrium in Madrid delivered the structure and the thermal subsystem for the payload, the L-band navigation antenna as well as the payload adapter and separation system used during the launch. The French Astrium team in Les Mureaux provided the panels for the solar generator. The Astrium specialists in Lampoldshausen produced the propulsion subsystem and filled the satellite’s tanks with hydrazine fuel at its launch location in Baikonur.

Giove-B is the first representative Galileo satellite to be completed by Astrium. On Giove-B, the Passive Hydrogen Maser technology in the atomic clock will make its debut in space. It is far more accurate and robust than the rubidium (Rb) technology used in previous navigation systems, and will therefore become an additional item of standard equipment on Galileo. The signal generator on Giove-B, the core element of the navigation payload, will immediately begin to transmit the full range of signals applicable to the overall system.

Giove-B serves as a reference and forms the link to the in-orbit validation (IOV) phase, in which Astrium as prime contractor is already building four further satellites. The IOV phase is a critical milestone in the set-up of the system, which will have a total of 30 navigation satellites and be fully operational by 2013.

Astrium offers all the technologies and services required for setting up the European satellite navigation system. The company played a decisive role in the development of a sustainable integrated system architecture, designed the space segment and the ground control facilities, and will bring the development programme to a successful conclusion. Astrium won recognition in all relevant system studies on the strength of its all-round expertise.

About Astrium

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2007, Astrium had a turnover of €3.5 billion and 12,000 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, and Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of €39.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 116, 000.

Galileo – the European global navigation satellite system

Media Contacts:

Henri de Grossouvre (Head of Media) Phone: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 36

Matthieu Duvelleroy (Astrium FR) Phone: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 32

Jeremy Close (Astrium UK) Phone: +44 (0)1 438 77 3872

Robert Klarner (Astrium GER) Phone: +49 89 607 29821

Francisco Lechón (Astrium SP) Phone: +34 (0) 91 586 37 41

http://www.astrium.eads.net

Astrium at the heart of European space defence and security programmes

: This years' French Defence Summer School was held in Toulouse on 10-11 September. The theme of the event was "New models for a new future", and the role of space was a central aspect of the discussions. The participants were given a tour of Astrium's Toulouse site to give them a first-hand appreciation of the exceptional range of expertise offered by Europe's leading space company ...

Toulouse, 10 September 2007 – With its European reach and unique range of capabilities, Astrium offers the industrial expertise to contribute to the complete range of European defence and security applications and respond to the specific requirements of the armed forces with tailor-made systems and services:

prime contractor for complete end-to-end military satellite communications and surveillance systems, ground segment and tactical terminals for land, sea and air;
pioneer of innovative tailored service provision solutions for national and international requirements in the fields of secure communications, geo-information and navigation;
first commercial owner/operator (via subsidiary Paradigm) of a military communications satellite system and provider of end-to-end secure satellite services;
crucial partner in the development of future space systems:
- Galileo
- GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security)
- UAV–satellite networks
guarantor of Europe’s independent access to space, prime contractor for the Ariane 5 launcher;
sole provider of ballistic missile systems in Europe and European leader in NATO’s missile defence studies.

Europe needs to be aware of and able to control all activity that takes place in its airspace and in theatres of operation where it is involved. Europe must therefore ensure that it is sufficiently equipped. While endo-atmospheric interception will help to master the skies, exo-atmospheric interception will help to control space. EADS has the necessary skills, technologies and international dimension to meet these challenges.

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2006, Astrium had a turnover of €3.2 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are: the business units Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, and Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of €39.4 billion and employed a workforce of more than 116, 000.

Press contacts:

ASTRIUM (FR) Rémi ROLAND +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 37

ASTRIUM (UK) Jeremy CLOSE +44 (0) 1438 77 3872

ASTRIUM (ALL) Mathias PIKELJ +49 (0) 7545 8 91 23

ASTRIUM (ES) Francisco LECHON +34 (0) 91 5 86 3741

http://www.astrium.eads.net

EADS SPACE to play central role in the Galileo satellite navigation test phase

EADS Astrium responsible for construction of the first four Galileo constellation satellites
Workshare for EADS SPACE companies will be about one fifth of the total contract value

19 January 2006 - EADS SPACE is to play a central role in the test phase for the new European satellite navigation system Galileo, following the contract signature in Berlin today between Galileo Industries, as the prime contractor, and the European Space Agency ESA. The contract is worth €1 billion with almost one fifth to be handled by the space units of EADS.

The contract between ESA and Galileo Industries covers the development and construction of the first four Galileo constellation satellites and part of the ground infrastructure for Galileo, including the full testing of the subsystem.

"This contract clears the way for Europe to establish its own satellite navigation system," said Evert Dudok, President of EADS' space transportation activities and member of the Supervisory Board of Galileo Industries. "Galileo is a key project, not only for the space industry but also for Europe as a whole. That is why I am especially pleased that EADS SPACE is playing such a central role in this project." EADS SPACE has a 38 percent holding in Galileo Industries and is thus one of the largest shareholders in the company.

The In Orbit Validation (IOV) phase is designed to test the new European satellite navigation system under real mission conditions. Between now and 2008, four satellites will be delivered - this is the minimum number required to verify the accuracy of the positioning signals. In operation, this subsystem will demonstrate the system’s capabilities ahead of the full 30 satellite constellation which should be fully operational before the end of the decade.

During this IOV phase, EADS Astrium in Ottobrunn near Munich will assume system leadership for the space segment and take overall responsibility for the construction of the first four satellites. In Ottobrunn, important components such as the attitude control system will be designed and manufactured. Together with Dutch Space, a future subsidiary of EADS SPACE based in the Netherlands, EADS Astrium in Ottobrunn will also provide the solar arrays for the four satellites. The propulsion units for the four satellites will come from EADS SPACE Transportation in Lampoldshausen.

Responsibility for the payload on board the four satellites and also the ground control segment, which provides satellite control, lies with EADS Astrium in the United Kingdom. EADS Astrium in Portsmouth will assume system responsibility for the globally deployed ground control segment covering the 30 satellite constellation in orbit. In addition Portsmouth will design and manufacture the onboard navigation payload, which generates and transmits the navigation signals to users, and also important equipments such as the solid state power amplifiers.

EADS SPACE in France and Spain will also contribute to the IOV phase. EADS SPACE France is involved in the ground mission segment. Spanish EADS SPACE companies will contribute the navigation antennas and are involved in the space segment system engineering.

Galileo is a joint programme undertaken by the European Union and ESA. The aim is to set up an innovative state-of-the-art global satellite navigation system that will offer high-precision positioning services. Galileo will be under civil control and end Europe's dependence on the military-controlled GPS.

EADS SPACE Services is another major participant in the Galileo project. The company, which specialises in providing space services, is a member of the international consortium that is currently negotiating to become the Galileo ‘concessionaire’. The concessionaire will work within a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to set up the entire Galileo navigation system of 30 satellites following the IOV phase and then operate it for 20 years. In December 2005, the nations and companies involved agreed on the allocation of the key tasks and sites for the Galileo operations phase, thus clearing the way for a concession contract to be concluded in the near future. The Headquarters of the Galileo Concessionaire will be located in Toulouse, France. The Operations Company will be located in London, United Kingdom. The two Control Centres (Constellation and Mission) will be located In Germany and Italy, as will the two Performance Evaluation Centres. A backup Control Centre will be located in Spain.

EADS SPACE, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2004, EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.6 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. It has three main subsidiaries: EADS SPACE Transportation, for launchers and orbital infrastructure, EADS Astrium for satellites and ground segment and EADS SPACE Services to develop and deliver satellite services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of €31.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 110,000.

Contacts for the media:

Remi Roland, EADS SPACE (FR) +33 (0) 1 42 24 27 34

Jeremy Close, EADS SPACE (UK) +44 (0) 1438 77 38 72

Mathias Pikelj, EADS SPACE (GER) +49 (0) 7545 8 9123

Hendrik Thielemann, EADS SPACE (GER) +49 (0) 89 607 2 72 44

http://www.space.eads.net

Agreement reached for Galileo programme facilities – A major step forward for Europe

: © EADS SPACE

Brussels, 6 December 2005 – The future Galileo Concessionaire has agreed the locations of the various facilities under its responsibility that are required for the successful deployment of the Galileo Programme.

According to this Agreement the Headquarters of the Galileo Concessionaire will be located in Toulouse, France. The Operations Company will be located in London, United Kingdom. The two Control Centres (Constellation and Mission) will be located in Germany and Italy as well as the two Performance Evaluation Centres supporting the concessionaire headquarters. Spain will host facilities that include redundancy for the Control Centres, and are related to Galileo safety critical applications.

Furthermore, a new consortium of German companies will join the team, adding core competencies to the Concessionaire.

Following the budgetary consensus reached last month, this land mark agreement, achieved with the assistance of Mr. Van Miert, the EC appointed mediator, clears the way for the efficient implementation of the Galileo Programme supporting a commercial and best value for money approach to the Galileo Public Private Partnership.

The agreement truly reflects the European dimension of the Galileo program and signifies a major step forward. It paves the way for the creation of all the benefits expected from this truly European initiative: the generation of employment opportunities and innovation in the high technology industry segments across Europe.

The concession partners will now pursue the necessary steps to finalise the concession contract with the GJU.

About EADS SPACE: EADS SPACE, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2004, EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.6 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. It has three main subsidiaries: EADS SPACE Transportation, for launchers and orbital infrastructure, EADS Astrium for satellites and ground segment and EADS SPACE Services to develop and deliver satellite services. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of €31.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 110,000.

http://www.space.eads.net

AENA Press Contacts Alfredo Aza, Tel: + 34 9 13 21 61 69 aaza@aena.es

Alcatel Press Contacts Stephane Lapeyrade / HQ, Tel :+ 33 (0)1 40 76 12 74 stephane.lapeyrade@alcatel.com

EADS Press Contacts Remi Roland, Tel : +33 (0)1 42 24 27 34 remi.roland@eads.net

Finmeccanica press contacts Roberto Alatri, Tel: +39 06 32473577 roberto.alatri@finmeccanica.it

Hispasat press contacts Marta Navarro, Tel: + 34 917 08 08 53 Mnavarro@hispasat.es

Inmarsat Press Contacts Chris McLaughlin, Tel: +44 (0)20 7728 10 15 Christopher_McLaughlin@inmarsat.com

Thales Press Contacts Natasha Harvey, Tel :+ 33 (0)1 57 77 87 27 Natasha.Harvey@thalesgroup.com

Laurence Luyckx, Tel: + 33 (0) 1 40 84 56 46 Laurence.luyckx@fr.thalesgroup.com

Eurely and iNavSat consortia deliver a joint proposal for the Galileo Concession

: Brussels, June 20th, 2005 – The founding members of the Eurely and iNavSat consortia have today delivered their joint proposal for the Galileo Concession to the Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU).

The submission of this joint proposal follows the decision “that the GJU could not select a preferred bidder as the two bids were too close to separate, considering their quality and complementary options”.

Both consortia believe that the sole way to ensure a “best value for money” approach for the public sector is to merge their respective resources and experience and to combine their complementary commercial approaches to the Galileo implementation. This joint proposal enables significant improvement in the benefits for the public sector and will mean that the momentum for an overall on-time delivery of the project will be maintained.

The merger of the two consortia will significantly reduce the contributions of European taxpayers. Moreover, the market perspective for the European downstream industries is excellent with the potential creation of thousands of jobs throughout Europe.

Today’s joint proposal of the two European consortia marks a milestone in the development of one of Europe’s biggest common projects. Both consortia are expecting that this joint proposal will allow the GJU to effectively approve their merger, with a view towards entering into the next phase. It is based on the successful competitive process carried out by the Galileo Joint Undertaking, started in 2003. Therefore, Eurely and iNavSat are confident that the synergies resulting from the common offer will be recognised as the best solution for Europe and its citizens.

Both Eurely and iNavSat are jointly ready to proceed with the final Concession Contract negotiations, which will formalise the Galileo Public Private Partnership by the end of this year.

The founding members of Eurely and iNavsat are: AENA, Alcatel, EADS, Finmeccanica, Hispasat, Inmarsat, and Thales.

About AENA

Aena is a Public Business Entity entrusted with the planning, development, building, installation, operation and managing of the 44(+3) Spanish civil airports and the air navigation system for all airspace under Spanish responsibility, with 5 Area Control Centres covering 4 Flight Information Regions (FIR/UIR). Aena also manages 15 airports in Central and South America. Aena integrates all Spanish civil aeronautical infrastructure activities in one single organisation staffed by qualified professionals, with a business philosophy whilst keeping the best of public service spirit, technological innovation and safety management. Aena’s strategy is to operate as a service company offering its customers (airline companies and air transport users in general) a safe, efficient and high quality of service, fostering economic progress.

About ALCATEL

Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services, to help its partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales of EURO 12.3 billion in 2004, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com

About EADS SPACE Services:

EADS SPACE Services is committed to providing and developing satellite services in the areas of telecommunications and navigation. EADS SPACE Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2004, EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.6 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of €31.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 110,000. http://www.space.eads.net

About Finmeccanica

Finmeccanica is Italy's leading high-tech company, operating in the design and manufacture of helicopters, civil and military aircraft, aerostructures, space satellites and infrastructure, satellite services, command and control systems, defence electronics and systems, communications, security and IT. Finmeccanica participates in some of the largest international programmes in the sector through well-established alliances with European and American partners. Finmeccanica also boasts significant manufacturing assets and skills in the transport and energy sectors. With operations in Italy and abroad, it employs around 51,000 staff in total. Finmeccanica spends 16 % of its reven*ues on research and development. For more information, please visit http://www.finmeccanica.it

About Hispasat

Hispasat is a Spanish group of companies that started in 1989 as satellite system operator for commercial and governmental/military communication services, provision of engineering solutions and new advanced projects. Its satellite fleet is located at 30 W and 61 W orbital positions to provide all types of communication services at both sides of the Atlantic. Hispasat has proven experience in satellite engineering, procurement, launch, testing and operations, with satellite ground control and monitoring premises in Spain, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico as well as appropriate knowledge in Security. HISPASAT has been cleared by the Spanish Ministry of Defence (SMOD) since 1990.

About Inmarsat Ventures Ltd

Inmarsat plc (LSE: ISAT) is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organisations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. The company’s services are delivered through a world-class network of leading telecoms groups. For the year ended 31 December 2004, group revenue was $480.7 million, with operating profit of $159.1 million. More information can be found at www.inmarsat.com.

About Thales

Thales is an international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace, services and security markets. The group employs 60,000 people worldwide and generated revenues of 10.3 billion in 2004. Thales is a pioneer in satellite navigation technology and is the only European company with end-to-end satellite navigation capability, from signals to products, to systems and services delivery. www.thalesgroup.com

AENA Press Contacts Alfredo Aza Tel: + 34 9 13 21 61 69 aaza@aena.es

Alcatel Press Contacts Florence Pontieux / HQ Tel :+ 33 (0)1 40 76 12 02 florence.pontieux@alcatel.com

EADS Press Contacts Remi Roland Tel : + 33 1 42 24 27 34 remi.roland@eads.net

Finmeccanica press contacts Marco Valerio Bonelli Tel: +39 06 32473577 valerio.bonelli@finmeccanica.it

Hispasat press contacts Marta Navarro Tel: + 34 917 08 08 53 Mnavarro@hispasat.es

Inmarsat Press Contacts Chris McLaughlin Tel: +44 (0)20 7728 10 15 Christopher_McLaughlin@inmarsat.com

Thales Press Contacts Natasha Harvey Tel :+ 33 (0)1 57 77 87 27 Natasha.Harvey@thalesgroup.com

First UK Built Generative Navigation Payload Successfully Tested

: The first UK built “generative” navigation payload (which generates and transmits a primary navigation signal that is not reliant on GPS) has been successfully tested by EADS Astrium at its Portsmouth facility as part of Europe’s Galileo global satellite navigation programme.

The Galileo System Test Bed (GSTB) V2/B Engineering Model (EM) comprises engineering and qualification model payload equipments, including state-of-the-art atomic clock and digital signal generation technology. The successful integration and test of this engineering model marks the first time that a “fully generative” navigation payload has been built and tested in Europe.

“This successful test is a major technological step forward proving our capability to build primary navigation signal payloads which generate independent signals and do not require GPS for reference,” said Dr Mike Healy, Director of Earth Observation, Navigation and Science for EADS Astrium in the UK.

EADS Astrium, as payload prime contractor, has procured many of the engineering and qualification model payload equipments as customer furnished items from the European Space Agency (ESA). Most are the result of many years of advanced development by space equipment manufacturers across Europe.

Incorporating these items into the engineering model required a radical manufacturing solution where the payload walls were designed to fold flat to enable easy access during the assembly, integration and test phases.

Novel ground support equipment was required to provide environmental control measures during manufacture. These included a cold plate assembly to maintain stringent temperature stability of the atomic clocks.

The completion of the EM payload assembly, integration and test campaign was a fundamental requirement to demonstrate the equipment’s mechanical and electrical interfaces and compliance to ESA’s functional and end-to-end performance requirements.

The engineering model is crucial to the success of the GSTB V2/B programme as experience and expertise gained will assure the successful construction of the Proto-Flight Model (PFM) payload. The PFM payload assembly, integration and test campaign is due to commence in January 2005, culminating in the launch of the GSTB V2/B spacecraft late in 2005 or early 2006.

Press contact:

Alistair Scott EADS SPACE (UK) +44 (0) 1438 773698 Remi Roland EADS SPACE (UK) +33 (0) 1 42 24 27 34 Hendrik Thielemann EADS SPACE (UK) +49 (0) 89 607 2 72 44

www.space.eads.net

Galileo is a European Union project to develop an advanced satellite navigation system. It will stimulate a step change in the role of satellite technology in the daily lives of both the public and business, from satellite positioning chips in mobile phones, to a vast array of public services including transport management and personal mobility applications. In complementing GPS, it will give increased accuracy and integrity, particularly in built-up areas and it will guarantee a role for European industry in the rapidly expanding satellite navigation market.

EADS Astrium is Europe’s leading satellite system specialist. Its activities cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation systems, science and navigation programmes, and all spacecraft avionics and equipment. EADS Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2003 EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.4 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of €30.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 100,000.

Galileo

The European satellite navigation system: © EADS Astrium

Galileo is the new European satellite navigation system comprising a global satellite-based network for precise positioning and timing information. It will offer many levels of service to satisfy all user requirements (commercial, safety and security, science, leisure), and will deliver guaranteed and certified quality and integrity for safety-critical applications (civil aviation, emergency services, security applications). Consisting of 30 spacecraft in Medium Earth Orbit and associated ground infrastructure, the Galileo system will be fully interoperable with, but independent from, the existing GPS system.

Astrium is playing a major role in the design and development of Galileo. Astrium is responsible for the Galileo system test satellite GIOVE-B, as well as for the Galileo in-orbit validation (IOV) phase to test the new satellite navigation system under real mission conditions. The agreement provides for the construction of the first four constellation satellites and part of the ground infrastructure for Galileo to 2009, and then the testing of this partial system.

In the IOV phase, Astrium has system leadership for the space segment, with overall responsibility for the construction of these first four satellites, and is supplying components such as the attitude control system (AOCS) and, in collaboration with Dutch Space, the solar generators.

With this expertise, Astrium is well prepared to build the complete satellite segment, including payload, avionics and ground control of the entire Galileo system.

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iNavSat team offers a 40 partner portfolio to Galileo Concession

: Brussels, 25th January - Over 40 international partners have joined the iNavSat consortium, created to win the Galileo Concession for global satellite services. These associated partners are ready to provide equipment and services to a significant global user base, with outstanding economic prospects. Established in more than 15 countries in Europe and the rest of the world, the team has extensive expertise either in infrastructure, technology, operations and services or market applications. Their activities cover user location based services, automotive, maritime, aviation industries, logistics, information technology, cartography, security and governmental use.

iNavSat consortium partners include: Arcadis (Netherlands), Autostrade (Italy), Boeing (USA), CASC (China), Deimos (Spain), Deutsche Bahn (Germany), DFS (Germany), DLR (Germany), Elecnor (Spain), Ericsson (Sweden), Ertico (Belgium), IfEN (Germany), Tifsa (Spain), Infineon Technologies (Germany), Insa (Spain), Kongsberg (Norway), Lockheed Martin (USA), mmO2 (UK), NATSNav (UK), Navteq (NL), OHB (Germany/Italy), PTV (Germany), Roskosmos (Russia), SAPOS (Germany), Sener (Spain), SES Global (Luxembourg), SciSys (UK), Siemens (Germany), SiRF (USA), Skysoft (Portugal), Telesat (Canada), Terma (Denmark), TriaGnoSys (Germany), T-Systems (Germany), VEGA (UK), Vitrociset (Italy).

The overall business case and the financial viability of Galileo has been assessed in full detail by iNavSat and is supported by 8 European banks, with some willing to contribute equity. “After reviewing the true differentiators of Galileo, the service concepts and the financing approach, we are confident that this is an attractive investment opportunity” said Michael Dinham, Managing Director Project Finance at ING. He underlined that: “ING Group is a long-term supporter of Galileo. We are prepared to provide significant financial support- both as equity and subordinated debt. We have great confidence in the ability of the iNavSat partners to implement this complex project. Our Space Finance team looks forward to adding Galileo to the €14bn of satellite transactions they have completed to date”.

“Our objective is to make use of lessons learned from existing satellite navigation systems, which mitigate the technical challenges and give the senior lenders more comfort for the deployment phase to be performed according to schedule.” said M. Ripple Director for the Galileo Programme at EADS SPACE. He continues “the iNavSat’s partnerships in the US and Russia ensure maximum compatibility on user level for the next decades”. Then combined with overlay systems such as EGNOS the users will see an unmatched performance concerning accuracy, availability and redundancy and hence give the users a complete new world of applications.” Indeed the EU-US agreement on satellite navigation co-operation signed in June 2004 paved the way to a long-term co-operation.

The European Commission has also signed international agreements with China and Israel and is negotiating with others including the Russian Federation, India and Ukrainia, and promising contacts have been established with Morocco, South Korea, Australia, Mexico and Brazil. iNavSat is eager to promote Galileo on a world wide basis as can be seen from the global presence of its partners.

The iNavSat concession proposal, which was submitted today, will now be considered by the Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU). A preferred bidder should be selected in February, followed by the immediate start of contract negotiation – finalising the last key milestone on Galileo’s path from project to reality.

Note to editors:

The iNavSat consortium was founded by EADS SPACE, Inmarsat Ventures and the Thales Group, who are the respective European market leaders in the fields of aerospace, mobile satellite communications and navigation-based products and services. Together they bring an unmatched array of experiences and skills to the Galileo Programme. This includes for example Skynet 5/Paradigm, the first European satellite concession project, and EGNOS, where Thales is a key player for its development and Inmarsat satellites broadcast the EGNOS signals. They were joined by the three additional core members OHB Technology, SES Global and Vitrociset.

The iNavSat concession proposal for the Galileo Concession was submitted to the Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU) today. The evaluation will lead to a long awaited preferred bidder selection in February through the GJU followed by an immediate start of the concession contract negotiation. After the approval by the transport council on December 10th 2004 to move to the deployment and operating phase of the Galileo programme, the preferred bidder selection will be the last key milestone to set the tracks for its realisation.

About EADS SPACE Services

EADS SPACE Services is committed to providing and developing satellite services in the area of telecommunications and navigation. EADS SPACE Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2003, EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.4 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of € 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 100,000.

Press contact : Rémi Roland Tel : +33 (0)1 42 24 27 34 Web: www.space.eads.net

About Inmarsat Ventures Ltd

Inmarsat Ventures Ltd is a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Its services include voice, fax, intranet and internet access and other data services used by multinational corporations, government agencies, media and international aid organisations and other enterprise level users in the maritime, land and aeronautical sectors.

Press contact: Chris McLaughlin Tel: +44 (0)20 7728 1015 Mobile: +44 (0)7796 276 033 Web: www.inmarsatventures.com

About Thales

Thales is an international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace, services and security markets. The group employs 61,500 people worldwide and generated revenues of 10.6 billion in 2003. Thales has been pioneering in satellite navigation technology and is the only European company with end-to-end satellite navigation capability, from signals to products, to systems and services delivery.

Press contact: Verena Adt Tel: +33 (0)1 57 77 86 26 Email: verena.adt@thalesgroup.com

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