spacetoday.net: Airbus and Safran plan launch vehicle joint venture

Airbus and Safran plan launch vehicle joint venture

Posted: Tue, Jun 17, 2014, 11:41 AM ET (1541 GMT)
Ariane 5 launch of Eutelat 25B/GSAT-7 (Arianespace)

Two European aerospace companies announced Monday that they plan to create a joint venture to develop most cost-effective versions of the Ariane launch vehicle. Airbus Group and Safran said they will create a 50-50 joint venture to support the development of an upgraded version of the Ariane 5, the Ariane 5 ME, as well as the next-generation Ariane 6. Airbus Group is the prime contractor for the Ariane 5, and Safran provides the cryogenic engines used on the main and upper stages of the rocket; the two companies are the largest industry shareholders in Arianespace. The companies provided few additional details on the joint venture, beyond their desire to allow the Ariane family to be more competitive against vehicles like the SpaceX Falcon 9.