The annual Satellite event is one of the telecommunications sector's key gatherings, with this year's conference highlighted by a panel discussion that brought together high-profile leaders from across the launch services industry.

Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall, in comments during the panel, reinforced the company's full transparency in all its business dealings - particularly in regards to the issue of government subsidies, which was "front-and-center" throughout the hour-plus-long discussion.

Responding to a question by moderator Owen Kurtin of Via Satellite, Le Gall reiterated that each company represented on the panel receives subsidies in one form or another. However, some are provided in a transparent manner - which Le Gall said is "the Arianespace way" - while others are not.

"Our customers have explained to us that they appreciate our transparency very much, which sometimes is not exactly the case with some of our competitors," added Le Gall.

Le Gall also took the opportunity to reinforce Arianespace's sustained efforts to provide the highest level of services to customers and maintain its position as an industry leader. Moving forward, the company is poised to build on its 30-year track record of success - benefitting from a robust payload order book, and supported by the extension of its launcher family with the introduction of Soyuz and Vega this year at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

To date, Arianespace has delivered 290 payloads to orbit for 78 customers around the world - which includes 42 consecutive successes by the heavy-lift Ariane 5. In 2011, the company is targeting a total of 12 launches - composed of six Ariane 5 flights, the first two Soyuz launches and Vega's inaugural liftoff, all from the Spaceport; along with three Soyuz launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

This 2011 flight activity began in February, with Ariane 5 successfully delivering Europe's second Automated Transfer Vehicle for servicing of the International Space Station. Arianespace's next Ariane 5 mission will orbit a dual satellite payload of Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn on March 29.

del.icio.us	Digg	Reddit
YahooMyWeb	Google	Facebook

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS Solar Energy Solutions Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ... Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News