Newsletter

European research satellite GOCE in orbit

The European Space Agency’s GOCE research satellite, for which Astrium provided the platform, was launched

on 17 March by a Rockot vehicle from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Russia. GOCE will measure the Earth’s

gravitational field more precisely than ever before to improve our understanding of the climate.

27 February

Infoterra-developed service for wine growers wins award

The Oenoview service for the wine growing industry developed by Astrium’s subsidiary Infoterra with the

French Institut Coopératif du Vin took the bronze medal in the ‘Agriculture and New Technologies’ category

at the Paris International Agriculture Show. Oenoview uses satellite imagery analysis to carefully monitor vine 

growth and identify differences in grape quality from one plot of land to the next or within a single plot.

23 February

The Passerel service provided by Astrium Services which enables French troops overseas to stay in contact

with friends and families back home has celebrated one year of operation. In mid-January 2008, initial Passerel

telephone and internet installation began. French troops made the first phone calls on 30 January 2008. On 23

February 2009, the next phase of Passerel telephone and Internet cards was launched.

Thai Earth observation system THEOS commences service

Following its 1 October 2008 launch, in-orbit tests of the THEOS observation satellite developed by Astrium for

the Thai Space Agency (GISTDA), were successfully completed in December. The system has been officially

accepted by GISTDA, which has now taken over responsibility for operations.

Launch of Hot Bird 10 and Spirale

The first Ariane 5 mission of 2009 successfully launched three Astrium-primed satellites: the Hot Bird 10

broadcast satellite for operator Eutelsat and the two microsatellites of the Spirale early-warning system

demonstrator for the French MoD. Astrium is single prime contractor for the Ariane 5 system.

Two new satellites for Arabsat

The Saudi-Arabian operator Arabsat selected the Astrium–Thales Alenia Space consortium to build and deliver

in orbit two new communications satellites, Arabsat 5C and Arabsat 6B. Astrium, the leading partner, will

supply the Eurostar E3000 platforms and integrate the satellites. Both satellites will weigh less than 5 tonnes

and will be launched in 2010–12 by Ariane 5

Astrium to build 35 new Ariane 5 launchers

Astrium Space Transportation and Arianespace signed a contract for the production of 35 Ariane 5 ECA

launchers (the ‘PB’ batch). These PB batch launchers will be used starting in the second half of 2010, after

the 30 Ariane 5 launchers ordered in 2004 (the ‘PA’ batch). Astrium is the sole prime contractor for Ariane

5, delivering a complete, tested and integrated launcher to Arianespace at the Space Centre in Kourou,

French Guiana. Astrium manages all industry contracts for the 12 countries which are partners in the Ariane

programme.

Astrium acquires world leader in small satellites

Astrium acquired Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), specialist in the design and manufacture of small

satellites and subsystems. SSTL has built its worldwide reputation in small satellites through the development

of innovative technologies which have lowered the cost of operational space missions.