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NGL PRIME S.p.A. signs prime contracts with European Space Agency
June 26, 2007
- Definition of Next Generation Launch Vehicle concepts and development scenarios for decisions in 2008
- Development of Intermediate Experimental Vehicle IXV on track for flight in 2010
26 June 2007 – NGL Prime SpA, Italy, a joint Astrium / Finmeccanica company, today signed two prime contracts with the European Space Agency (ESA) on the definition of Launcher System Concepts for the European Next Generation Launcher, and the development of a European Intermediate Experimental Vehicle IXV. The contracts have a total value of 20.5 M€ covering the next 16 months of industrial activities foreseen for the Period 2007-09 of the ESA Future Launcher Preparatory Program FLPP Period 2 Step 1. The industrial teams include 43 companies and research institutions in 11 countries across Europe.
“The launcher studies will prepare key technical and programmatic data for the ESA Ministerial Conference in 2008. They will look at the different options that Europe could adopt in the development of a Next Generation Launcher intended to be in service in 2020 or 2025,” said Dr. Axel Roenneke, CEO of NGL Prime. “In parallel, the Intermediate Experimental Vehicle IXV will demonstrate Europe’s advanced re-entry technologies. We are now on track for a flight in 2010.”
Paolo Piantella, Chairman of the Board of NGL Prime, added: “These contracts will enlarge the industrial team for the ESA Future Launchers Preparatory Program and enable a common industrial assessment of our options for a future European launch system.”
NGL Prime S.p.A., a joint venture owned by EADS Astrium N.V. (70%) and Finmeccanica (30%) located in Turin, Italy, was created in 2006 as industrial prime contractor to manage the development and production of Europe’s next generation launch systems, beyond future versions of the current European launch vehicles.
About Astrium
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2006, EADS 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.
About Finmeccanica
Finmeccanica is the main Italian industrial group operating globally in the aerospace, defence and security sectors. It is also one of the world's leading groups in the field of helicopters and defence electronics, as well as being the European leader for satellite and space services.
The Finmeccanica Group is based in Italy and has an extensive industrial base in the UK as well as important production facilities in the rest of Europe and in the USA. It is a dynamic, global company which dominates the domestic markets in Italy and the UK, and excels at an international level.
With a total workforce of about 56,600 people, the Group has a production value of around 11,5 billion euros.
Media Contacts
Rémi Roland, ASTRIUM (F) Tel. +33 (0)1 77 75 80 37
Mathias Pikelj, ASTRIUM (D) Tel. +49 (0) 7545 89 123
Jeremy Close, ASTRIUM (UK) Tel. +44 (0)1438 77 38 72
Finmeccanica S.p.A. Ufficio stampa
Roberto Alatri
Tel. +39 06 32473313, Fax +39 06 32657170, ufficiostampa@finmeccanica.com