Satellite launch provider Arianespace says it will break-even for its 2011 activity, and has a record 13 cargoes planned for 2012, helped by a new fleet of launch vehicles.

This year will see seven launches by the heavy lifter Ariane 5, the workhorse of the fleet. Five will be launched by the medium-sized Soviet-Russian space veteran Soyuz rocket, and the first launches will be carried out by the lightweight rocket Vega, the company said. Vega is being used to carry smaller satellites into space.

As far as 2011 was concerned the total revenues will be around $1.27 billion, and will see the business into break-even for the first time in many years.  Arianespace has a contracted backlog of some $5.8 billion.

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