A special setting for a precious jewel:
For a few days, as part of the second ‘Fête des Transports’, Astrium will be exhibiting an exact 1:5 scale model of one of the crowning achievements of the European space industry in the magnificent setting of the world’s most famous avenue, the Champs-Élysées in Paris: It is a unique opportunity for the public to take a closer look at this model of the European launch vehicle.
Normally on display at the Astrium site of Les Mureaux, west of Paris, and only seen by the site’s 1700 employees, the scale model measuring 11 metres high, 1.26 metres wide, and weighing 1,340 kg, stands on a 12-metric-ton concrete plinth. After transportation by a fleet of trucks to the lower end of the Champs-Élysées, a 50-metric-ton crane with a lift of 30 metres was required to complete the task.
Erected during the night of Tuesday 14 November, the Ariane 5 model will be on show until 19 November.
Astrium is the sole prime contractor for Ariane 5, responsible for managing the entire range of technical and contractual agreements with subcontractors throughout Europe, and for overseeing the integration of the different stages of the launch vehicle, namely the main cryogenic stage (EPC), the solid rocket boosters (EAP), the type-A storable propellant upper stage (ESC-A), the vehicle equipment bay, the flight navigation software, and numerous sub-assemblies such as the dual-launch payload structure SYLDA.
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2005, Astrium had a turnover of €2.7 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. It has two main business units: Astrium Space Transportation, for launchers and orbital infrastructure, and Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Astrium Services, develops and delivers satellite services.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of €34.2 billion and employed a workforce of more than 113,000.
Press contacts:
Astrium, Rémi Roland +33 (0) 1 42 24 27 34
Astrium, Frédéric-Pierre Isoz +33 (0) 1 42 24 28 77
