[Satellite Today 02-03-09] Arianespace signed a contract valued at more than 4 billion euros ($5.1 billion) with Astrium for the production of 35 Ariane 5 ECA launchers, Arianespace announced Feb. 2.
    The launchers, designated the PB batch, will be used starting in the second half of 2010 after the 30 Ariane 5 launchers ordered in 2004, the PA batch, are used. 
    Arianespace now has 49 Ariane 5 launchers under production with Astrium, the  sole prime contractor for Ariane 5 and manager for all industry contracts for the 12 countries who are partners in the Ariane program.