A contract signed by Jean-Yves Le Gall, President & CEO, Arianespace, and Dr. Axel Deich, CEO, Oerlikon Space, on the opening day of the Paris Air Show is worth around 250 million Swiss francs (165 million euros) and comprises the delivery of 35 payload fairings including all services. Depending on the number of Ariane launches, the contract will run until 2015. The payload fairing at the tip of the rocket protects the satellites during launch and also provides the aerodynamic shape of the vehicle. Oerlikon Space has a proven record in manufacturing payload fairings in composite technology. In addition to the Ariane 5, the Atlas V 500 rocket is also fitted with a fairing from Oerlikon Space. The Swiss space company will likewise supply the payload fairing for the new small European Vega rocket. All 188 Ariane rockets launched since the first flight in December 1979 have been fitted with fairings from Oerlikon Space.
Satnews Daily
June 15th, 2009
It's Fairing To Say Oerlikon Continues With Its Good Works
A contract signed by Jean-Yves Le Gall, President & CEO, Arianespace, and Dr. Axel Deich, CEO, Oerlikon Space, on the opening day of the Paris Air Show is worth around 250 million Swiss francs (165 million euros) and comprises the delivery of 35 payload fairings including all services. Depending on the number of Ariane launches, the contract will run until 2015. The payload fairing at the tip of the rocket protects the satellites during launch and also provides the aerodynamic shape of the vehicle. Oerlikon Space has a proven record in manufacturing payload fairings in composite technology. In addition to the Ariane 5, the Atlas V 500 rocket is also fitted with a fairing from Oerlikon Space. The Swiss space company will likewise supply the payload fairing for the new small European Vega rocket. All 188 Ariane rockets launched since the first flight in December 1979 have been fitted with fairings from Oerlikon Space.