Posted: Sat, May 1, 2004, 10:42 AM ET (1442 GMT)
European launch services provider Arianespace reported Friday a profit in 2003 after several years of losses. The company said it had recorded a profit of €9.2 million (US$11 million) on €559 million (US$670 million) in sales. Since 2000 the company has reported significant losses due to the downturn in the commercial launch market and corresponding decline in launch prices. The company has since won support from the European Space Agency through its European Guaranteed Access to Space (EGAS) program to provide reimbursements for certain fixed costs. While the EGAS program doesn't take effect until 2005, it does allow the company to avoid writing off future losses that otherwise would have resulted in another loss in 2003, according to Space News.

Related Links:

•  Space News article
•  Arianespace press release