An artist's concept of an Ariane 5 launching ATV. Photo: Arianespace

The largest launch services contract in the history of Europe's space industry was signed Wednesday at the Berlin air show for nine firm Ariane 5 flights to carry the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV).

The commercial order, signed by Antonio Rodota, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Marie Luton, will cover Ariane 5 missions from late 2003 and through 2014. Launches of the Ariane 5 will be from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

"This contract reflects the predominant role taken by Europe in supporting and using the International Space Station," said Jean-Marie Luton. "The European space industry's contribution to this 21st century international program under the direction of ESA is an illustration of Europe's ability to mobilize its top industrial and scientific talent to accomplish a common goal. Furthermore, it demonstrates that Ariane 5 is perfectly suited to low-orbit missions.

"Arianespace - and Ariane 5 - are ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow and to carry out a full range of missions."

An artist's concept an ATV in orbit. Photo: ESA

The ATV is a spacecraft designed to bring fuel, water, supplies and other cargo to the International Space Station. Weighing approximately 20 metric tons, the ATV will be placed by Ariane 5 into a 300-kilometer circular orbit inclined 51.6 degrees. The spacecraft will then maneuver in orbit to rendezvous with the space station.

The ATV is a European Space Agency program, with Aerospatiale Matra Lanceurs as prime contractor. Astrium Space Infrastructure of Bremen, Germany is responsible for the development, integration and test of the ATV's propulsion module, as well as for the integration and testing of this module with the avionics module. Their final integration with the ATV cargo module will be handled by a joint Aerospatiale Matra Lanceurs/Astrium team.

With this contract, Arianespace has now booked commercial orders for a total of 211 satellites and the nine ATV missions. It currently has a backlog of 40 satellites and the nine ATVs to be launched.