RUAG Space gets Ariane 5 payload fairing contract Technology and Equipment

The satellite launch company, Arianespace has selected RUAG Space to manufacture payload fairings contract for all Ariance 5 launches.

The agreement is worth than CHF100m ($112.25m) was signed in Zurich by RUAG Space Switzerland senior vice-president Holger Wentscher and Arianespace chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël and covers the provision of Ariane 5 payload fairings through 2019.

The payload fairing, placed on the tip of the launch vehicle, is developed to protect satellites on the launch pad and all along the initial trajectory through Earth’s atmosphere.

RUAG Space has been collaborated with the European launcher programme since the beginning, starting with the first liftoff in December 1979, all 217 Ariane rockets launched to date have included RUAG fairings.

According to Holger Wentscher - Payload fairings are an important source of revenue for RUAG Space, which is why this contract is so vital. Today’s contract marks a big milestone in a successful association that stretches back 35 years.

With this recent order, we have now assured our supply of fairings for the Ariane 5 ECA launcher through 2019. For all of our clients, the quality and accuracy of these fairings mean that the RUAG name is equals to excellence, says, Arianespace Chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël.

RUAG Space is a dominant supplier of payload fairings made of composite materials.

Europe’s small launcher, Vega and the American launcher, Atlas V-500 are some of the facilities other than Ariane 5, which uses fairings delivered by RUAG Space.