Tillmann Mohr, Director General of Eumetsat, and Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, on Dec. 17 signed the launch contract for the MSG 3 weather satellite at the European Space Agency headquarters in Paris. Also present were Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of ESA, and Per Tegner, Chairman of the ESA Council.

The launch of MSG 3 is scheduled for the first half of 2009 from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, using an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.

MSG 3 is the ninth satellite that intergovernmental organization Eumetsat has entrusted to the European launcher. Arianespace's order book already includes the MSG 2 satellite, slated for launch in the first quarter of 2005.

"This contract once again demonstrates the confidence of Europe's leading operators in the Ariane launch system," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, "and also symbolizes the guarantee of Europe's independent access to space. Arianespace is especially proud of its role in ensuring the continuity of weather forecasting services offered by Eumetsat in Europe and around the world."

Eumetsat Director General Tillmann Mohr added: ³With this latest contract, Eumetsat confirms its support of European space policy, and our confidence in Arianespace, which has already launched seven Eumetsat satellites under optimum conditions.²

Built by Alcatel Space in Cannes, southern France, MSG 3 will weigh about 2,000 kg at launch. It will have 12 channels and be capable of transmitting images every 15 minutes. The satellite will ensure service continuity, giving weather forecasters a powerful tool for the detection and prediction of meteorological events in Europe and neighboring regions.

Arianespace is the commercial launch services leader, holding more than 50 percent of the international market for satellites launched to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Created in 1980 as the world's first commercial space transportation company, Arianespace has signed contracts for the launch of more than 250 satellite payloads.