Arianespace, CNES (French National Space Agency) and the European Space Agency (ESA) combined to share the 2004 Space Achievement Award given by the Colo.- based Space Foundation. The ceremony, held in the Space Foundation’s home state, honored the team responsible for operating the Ariane 4 launcher, which orbited 182 satellites for 50 customers around the world on 116 Ariane 4 vehicles.

Jean-Marie Luton, chairman of Arianespace, commented, “We are especially honored to have won this prize from America’s prestigious Space Foundation, and would like to thank them on behalf of everybody who contributed to this landmark space program.”