Paris, 8 January 2008  Astrium has been selected by Eutelsat Communications, one of the worlds leading satellite operators, to deliver a satellite, currently designated as KA-SAT, the first European multi-beam satellite to operate exclusively in the Ka-band and dedicated to providing broadband and broadcast services across the wider Europe.

KA-SAT will be launched in 2010 and positioned at 13 degrees East in geostationary orbit. The new satellite marks a material step forward in multi-beam satellites that are already demonstrating their efficiency in the market for broadband Internet access, HDTV and local and regional television for users located in rural areas in North America.

Based on the Eurostar E3000 platform developed by Astrium, KA-SAT will operate more than 80 spot beams simultaneously, which makes it the largest multi-beam Ka-band satellite ever ordered worldwide. The satellite will feature a high level of frequency re-use and a flexible assignment of resources to adjust to market demand. Weighing 5.8 tonnes at launch, the large spacecraft is equipped with four multi-feed deployable antennas with enhanced pointing accuracy, and will be able to operate at a payload power of more than 11 kW throughout its 15-year design lifetime.

KA-SAT is the 17th satellite commissioned by Eutelsat from Astrium, and the 23rd Eurostar E3000 ordered. With eight commercial GEO communications satellites won in 2007, Astrium is number one worldwide in terms of satellite orders.

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2006, Astrium had a turnover of 3.2 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, and Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of 39.4 billion and employed a workforce of more than 116, 000.

Media Contacts:

Remi Roland (Astrium FR) Phone: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 37
Jeremy Close (Astrium UK) Phone: +44 (0)1 438 77 3872
Mathias Pikelj (Astrium GER) Phone: +49 (0) 7545 8 91 23
http://ww.astrium.eads.net