The Ariane 5 launch vehicle developed and manufactured by Astrium has been successfully launched from Kourou in French Guiana.

Astrium CEO François Auque conveyed his warmest wishes to all of Astrium’s teams and industrial partners, congratulating them for “this 40th consecutive success for Astrium since 2003, confirming yet again the excellence and quality of Ariane 5 ECA.”

The launcher placed two telecommunications satellites in orbit, including HYLAS 1, which was developed by Astrium for the satellite operator Avanti Communications. HYLAS 1 will provide all of Europe with high-speed rural broadband services that cover even the remotest areas.

The next launcher is already in Kourou – the third in less than three months to be supplied by Astrium to Arianespace, which is responsible for launch operations and marketing for Ariane 5. Astrium and its industrial partners meet the daily challenge of providing a completely reliable, qualified and tested launcher. Another Ariane 5 is scheduled for takeoff before the end of the year.

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 comprehensive end-to-end value-added solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, high security satellite communications equipment, bespoke geo-information and navigation services worldwide.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2009, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 42.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 119,000.