The Franco-German aerospace and defence group ArianeGroup and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Berlin on September 24 to collaborate on research into new defence technologies. The agreement covers security-relevant space technologies, in particular state-of-the-art materials and technologies, as well as space situational awareness (SSA) systems.
Pierre Godart, CEO of ArianeGroup GmbH, commented: “We are delighted to expand our collaboration with DLR into a new field. Together, ArianeGroup and DLR boast extensive expertise. This cooperation will allow us to harness this expertise in support of Europe’s security needs and to advance research into innovative defence systems. In so doing, we will lay the foundations for future defence capabilities.”
Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board, added: “The changing geopolitical environment in recent years marks an unprecedented and fundamental turning point for Europe. We are fully aware of this situation and ready to adapt together with our partners. It is clear that space applications and capabilities have become absolutely vital for everyone on Earth. DLR’s strong culture of cooperation, knowledge sharing and transfer with industry and public partners ensures that the technologies we develop ultimately become operational capabilities. I therefore welcome the opportunity to build on our decades of successful collaboration with ArianeGroup.”
Arianespace to launch German defence satellites
Arianespace announces it has been awarded the contract to launch two SATCOMBw Stufe 3 satellites with two Ariane 6 for the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). The satellites will board Europe’s heavy-lift launchers Ariane 6, for a launch from Europe’s Spaceport, in French Guiana. The European Ariane 6 launcher family is built by the prime contractor ArianeGroup, a Franco-German company.
SATCOMBw Stufe 3 is Germany’s next generation of secure military satellite system. For the Bundeswehr, Airbus is the prime contractor for the design, integration, test and in orbit delivery of two new military GEO telecommunications satellites which are the successor communications satellites to COMSATBw 1 and 2. It also includes upgrading of the existing ground segment to operate the new satellites as well as operational services for 15 years, with the possibility of extension.
David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, commented: “By signing this new strategic contract for the German Armed Forces, Arianespace accomplishes its core mission of guaranteeing an autonomous access to space for European sovereign satellites. More than ever, providing secure space defence systems is key and we are proud to do so with Europe’s heavy rocket Ariane 6 which has now fully demonstrated its reliability, precision and performance.”
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