• Astrium Services and Cisco sign Technology Partnership Agreement

• Astrium and Cisco to study the capabilities of space-based IP routing

• Space-based routers have the potential to enable the rapid transfer of large amounts of data to multiple users

Stevenage, 15 July 2010: Astrium Services and Cisco, the world-wide leader in networking, today signed a Technology Partnership Agreement (TPA) to study the applications of space-based routers.

Space-based routers have the potential to transfer vast amounts of data to multiple ground based receivers in a single step, eliminating the need to pass through teleports and rapidly increasing the speed of the download process.

As a leading supplier of both commercial and military satcoms, Astrium Services is continually researching ways of providing its customers with the ability to transfer increasing amounts of voice, video and computer data via satellite networks.

Working together, Astrium and Cisco will initially focus on studying the space based router that Cisco is currently testing on the Intelsat 14 satellite and how to best apply Astrium’s communication service expertise and sophisticated payload processing capabilities to better support its customers. Paradigm, a leading supplier of military hardened satellite communications, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium Services, will work with Cisco on the first in a series of studies, which are due to be completed by January 2011.

Through this joint technology study, Astrium Services will look to provide a more diverse range of telecommunication services in remote areas that require rapid data transfers. These would include crisis management situations, remote medical emergencies and mobile military operations.

This collaboration is also part of Astrium Services’ drive to involve external companies and academia in its strategy to develop new services for both commercial and military customers.

Eric Béranger, CEO, Astrium Services, said:

“At Astrium Services we strive to offer our existing and future customers original solutions to meet their needs.”

“As pioneers in the commercial provision of milsatcoms, our partnership with Cisco is a natural step in ensuring that we remain at the cutting edge of innovative satellite services, providing our customers with both greater capacity and flexibility.” 

Steven Boutelle, CEO of Cisco Internet Routing in Space (IRIS), and vice president, Cisco Global Government Solutions Group said:

“Today’s announcement is another example of Cisco’s commitment to innovation in networking communications.  Through strategic alliances with companies like Astrium, we are continuing our expansion of IP Routing in Space capabilities to commercial and government customers worldwide.”

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 the development and provision of secure and commercial satcoms and networks, high security satellite communications equipment, geo-information products and services, and navigation services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, EADS generated revenues of €42.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 119, 000.

Press contacts:

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

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

Ralph Heinrich (Astrium GER)                                                   Tel.: +49 (0) 89 607 33971

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

Jennifer Greeson (Cisco)                                                           Tel: (US) 202-320-8532

www.astrium.eads.net