Since opening its Tokyo office in 1986, then launching the first Japanese commercial satellite, JCSAT-1, in 1989, Arianespace has become a major partner to Japanese manufacturers and operators. During its annual Japan Week conference in Tokyo, Arianespace confirmed its continued global leadership.

No. 1 worldwide

Since being founded, Arianespace has signed more than 300 launch service contracts and launched 290 satellites for 78 customers, accounting for more than half of all commercial satellites currently in service worldwide.

Featuring a family of launchers offering proven reliability and availability, Arianespace wins more than half of the commercial launch contracts open to competition in the global market every year. The company has built up a very health backlog of orders, with launches scheduled for 26 different customers.

Arianespace currently has an order book worth more than 4 billion euros, including 30 geostationary satellites to be launched by Ariane 5, five Ariane 5 launches for the ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) to the International Space Station, and 18 Soyuz launches.

2011: three different launchers operating from the Equator

Arianespace will rise to new challenges in 2011, as it begins to operate the complete family of European launch vehicles from its launch base near the Equator, enabling it to orbit all types of satellites for all customers.

Ariane 5: With 42 successful launches in a row and more than eight years without a failure, Ariane 5 continues to confirm, mission after mission, its technical and operational maturity.

On February 16, Arianespace successfully launched the European Space Agency’s Johannes Kepler ATV2 to ferry supplies to the International Space Station.

This latest success, the 200th Ariane rocket launch, once again demonstrates the operational capabilities of Ariane 5. This heavy launcher can carry out a complete range of missions, from commercial launches into geostationary transfer orbit, to dedicated launches into special orbits.

The next Ariane 5 launch is scheduled for April 22, and will boost two communications satellites, Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn.

Soyuz: Arianespace took over operational responsibility for the Soyuz launch complex in early April, and the first Soyuz launch from the Guiana Space Center is set for the fall of 2011. At the same time, Arianespace plans to carry out three Soyuz launches this year from the Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

Vega: Arianespace will take over responsibility for Vega launch facilities by the end of June this year, and the first Vega launch is planned for the end of the year.

Arianespace and Japan

Since opening its Tokyo office in 1986, Arianespace has won 27 launch contracts in Japan out of the 36 open to competition, giving it a market share of 75%. It has also launched the LDREX 1 and 2 payloads for JAXA, the Japanese space agency. Arianespace still has two other Japanese satellites in its order book, JCSAT-13 and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R, scheduled for launch this year.

At the same time, Arianespace and MHI have developed an innovative partnership arrangement, by jointly offering reciprocal launch services by Ariane 5 and H-IIA.

In May Arianespace will launch ST-2, the second commercial satellite built by MELCO, for the consortium created by Singtel and Chunghwa Telecom.

Japan is one of Arianespace’s leading partners, and will remain so for many years to come, given the breadth and depth of Japan’s space program.

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading launch service & solutions company, providing innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled family of launchers, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of 15 April 2011, Arianespace had launched with 200 Ariane launchers a total of 290 payloads, including more than half of all the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. It has a backlog of 20 Ariane 5 and 18 Soyuz launches, equal to more than three years of business.