ROME - Stephane Israel, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, and Pierluigi Pirrelli, Chief Executive of ELV (European Launch Vehicle), signed a contract on October 29, 2014, in Rome, confirming Arianespace's order of ten Vega launch vehicles from the Italian manufacturer.
This contract follows the long-term procurement agreement concerning these ten launchers, signed in Rome on November 20, 2013 in a ceremony attended by French President Francois Hollande and Enrico Letta, Chairman of the Italian Council of Ministers.
The October 29 contract signing ceremony was held at the Italian Ministry of Research in Rome, and was attended by Stefania Giannini, Italian Minister of Education, Universities and Research, Professor Roberto Battiston, President of Italian space agency ASI, Catherine Colonna, the French ambassador to Italy, Pier Giuliano Lasagni, the Chairman and CEO of Avio, and other representatives of the Italian government.
The ten Vega launchers ordered, representing more than three years of business for Arianespace, will enter service at the end of 2015.
The Vega is in a healthy position in the lightweight launch market. The vehicle will benefit from a strong domestic market due to its association with the European Space Agency. ESA is dedicated to using European-built equipment and continues to launch lightweight scientific satellites, ensuring steady demand for the Vega.