EADS Astrium Space Transportation

EADS Space Transportation was formed in June 2003 from the Space Infrastructure division of Astrium (whose core was originally ERNO) and the EADS Launch Vehicles division (formerly Aerospatiale's Space division). It is a fully-owned subsidiary of EADS.

The Space Transportation company is prime contractor for the Ariane 5 launcher, the Columbus Module of the International Space Station and the ATV, as well as number of smaller projects (most notably Phoenix). It also builds launchers for the French nuclear missile program (see also Military of France), such as the M51 SLBM.

It has recently joined the team led by Lockheed Martin for a bid on NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV), being in charge of the craft's Mission Module. The team won a contract from NASA in June 2005.

Recently, EADS Space Transportation has started a campaign in favour of a project called LIFE, for astronomy from the Moon surface.

The company has facilities in France (Les Mureaux near Paris and Aquitaine near Bordeaux) and in Germany, the main facility being in Bremen.

The President of EADS Space Transportation is Evert Dudok. The CEO of is Alain Charmeau who replaced Hervé Guillou on September 1, 2005.

In 2006, it is announced that the company will be reintegrated in EADS SPACE, which will be renamed.

External link

• EADS SPACE Transportation