Arianespace broke even in 2005 on revenue of 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion), the company announced Jan. 4. Starsem posted sales of about 100 million euros ($118.8 million) and also broke even.

Arianespace signed seven launch contracts in 2005, increasing its backlog to 37.

For 2006, Ariane plans five to six launches of its Ariane 5 vehicle. The first mission, scheduled for Feb. 21 launch, is an Ariane 5 ECA that will carry the Hot Bird 7A and Spainsat satellites.

Starsem is planning three Soyuz launches from Baikonur in 2006, and the first Soyuz launch from the Guiana Space Center is expected in 2008.