Press Release: Commission and EIB back launch of prototype satellite Alphasat

Europe will launch an innovative telecoms satellite in 2012 with up to €225 million in backing from the EU's Risk-sharing Finance Facility (RSFF), jointly created by the European Commission and European Investment Bank. The Alphasat mission is a joint undertaking of the European Space Agency and Inmarsat Plc, a UK-based satellite communications company. An agreement was signed in Brussels on 22 April 2010 by European Investment Bank President Philippe Maystadt and Inmarsat Chief Operating Officer Perry Melton in the presence of European Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn and ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications Magali Vaissiere.

ESO: Background information: Deal signed for 'super-satellite' http://www.europeansources.info/record/deal-signed-for-super-satellite/

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