[Satellite TODAY 01-13-11] Astrium posted preliminary overall revenues of 5 billion euros ($6.47 billion) in 2010, a 4 percent increase compared to 2009, the company announced Jan. 12.
    Astrium received 6 billion euros ($7.7 billion) in orders in 2010, a 43 percent increase compared to 2009. Astrium’s order book now stands at about 16 billion euros ($20.71 billion). Astrium’s 2010 highlights include: a 55.2 million euro ($71.5 million) contract with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology for an Earth observation optical satellite system; a contract from Eutelsat to a build the 48-transponder W5A Ku-band satellite and a deal with SES World Skies to build the SES-6 satellite.
    In a statement, Astrium CEO François Auque said the company hopes to have a good year in the military market in 2011 as the company targets a key deal in France. “In services, the orders we received have almost tripled in relation to 2009. We hope that the ongoing tender for a public-private partnership for military telecommunications for the French armed forces will take account of our long experience with both the British and German Defense Ministries.”