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.

Sustained leadership

During this annual get-together of Japanese operators, manufacturers and service providers, Arianespace, the first commercial launch services company, confirmed its global leadership in this market. Since being founded, Arianespace has signed more than 350 launch contracts with 80 different customers. It has carried out 205 Ariane launches, orbiting 299 payloads, including more than half of the commercial satellites now in orbit worldwide, along with 26 Soyuz launches, 24 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan via its Euro-Russian subsidiary Starsem, and two from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana. Earlier this year Arianespace also carried out the first launch of Europe’s new light launcher, Vega.

A record backlog of orders

Drawing on a complete range of launch vehicles, with proven reliability and availability, Arianespace wins more than half of the commercial launch contracts open to competitive bidding on the international market every year. This gives it a very healthy backlog of launch orders. Since the beginning of the year, Arianespace has already signed the contract for a dedicated Ariane 5 launch of four satellites in Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation system, and three launch contracts for communications satellites. Arianespace’s backlog now stands at 4.7 billion euros from 30 customers, including 33 satellites to be launched by Ariane 5 into geostationary orbit, six dedicated Ariane 5 missions, 15 Soyuz launches and two launches by the new Vega rocket.

Arianespace to the power of 3

Arianespace opened a new chapter in the history of space on October 21, 2011, with the first launch of the legendary Soyuz rocket from the Guiana Space Center. On February 13, 2012, Europe’s space industry celebrated the successful first launch of its new light launcher, Vega. With Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega now operating from a single launch site, the Guiana Space Center, Arianespace is the only launch services provider in the world capable of launching all payloads to all orbits, including communications, science and Earth observation satellites, constellations and spacecraft serving the International Space Station. Arianespace is planning six or seven Ariane 5 launches in 2012. On March 23, Arianespace orbited the third ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle), Edoardo Amaldi, which recently docked to the International Space Station. Five Soyuz launches are also scheduled in 2012, three from the Guiana Space Center and two from Baikonur.

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 also launched the LDREX 1 and 2 payloads for JAXA, the Japanese space agency. Arianespace has become the preferred launch services company for Japanese operators, notably including SKY Perfect JSAT, the largest satellite operator in Asia. On May 15, Arianespace will orbit the company’s JCSAT-13 satellite. The other major Japanese operator, BSAT, called on Arianespace to orbit its BSAT-3b satellite in 2010 and BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R in 2011.

BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R is a co-procured satellite with SKY Perfect JSAT. 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. 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. It is also worth noting the exemplary relationship of Arianespace with its Japanese partners, since this symbolizes the success of a European technology firm in the Japanese market. Further underscoring this alliance, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall is co-chair of the European and Japanese Industries Round Table, and chairman of Medef International’s France-Japan Business Leaders Council.

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 international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of April 1st 2012, Arianespace had performed 205 Ariane launches (299 payloads), 26 Soyuz launches (24 at Baikonur with Starsem and 2 at the Guiana Space Center) and the first launch of Vega. It has a backlog of 24 Ariane 5, 15 Soyuz and 2 Vega launches, equal to more than three years of business.