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Luton Says Arianespace Will Defend Its Japanese Marketshare
Tokyo (AFP) April 19, 2001 The head of Arianespace, the European space consortium on Thursday underlined his determination to defend the company's dominance in the Japanese commercial satellite launch market, when Japan's overdue domestic rival enters the fray. The consortium which comprises 44 shareholders from 12 countries enjoys a "commanding position" in Japan, where it has a 75 percent market share, compared to a 55 percent slice of the global pie, Arianespace chairman and chief executive Jean-Marie Luton told a press conference in Tokyo. The consortium has picked up every Japanese satellite launch contract for the last four years, and has won "18 of the 24 commercial contracts" awarded since it set up shop in Tokyo in 1986, Luton said. Three of the contracted satellites still have to be launched, "which will be done this year or in early 2002," Luton added. The company is unlikely to lose any sleep over the arrival of the new generation H-2A Japanese rocket as a commercial rival, the development of which was delayed by two consecutive failed launches of its H-2 predecessor. "We feel that the H-2A is more likely to be a partner than a competitor," said Luton, noting the "excellent relations" the European company enjoys with its Japanese clients. Once it becomes operational, the Europeans believe the H-2A will be used primarily for government programmes before going into commercial service. Japan spends approximately 0.04 percent of its Gross Domestic Product, or roughly 250 billion yen (2.05 billion dollars), on its space programs, virtually the same amount as the European Union. Arianespace is forecasting "a return to break-even this year," after posting a losses estimated at "more than 200 million euros (176 million dollars)," last year due to major provisions relating to investments on Ariane 5, said Philippe Berterottiere, vice president of sales, marketing and programs. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Arianespace SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry
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Milpitas CA (SPX) Jan 11, 2006Globalstar recently announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of the stock of Globalstar Americas Telecommunications, Globalstar Americas Holdings, and Astral Technologies Investments. |
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