While EADS reels from problems launching Airbus' equivalent of the Spruce Goose, the A380 super-jumbo jet that can seat up to 800 people, at least one affiliate of the European company had some success over the weekend.
Satellite launch service Arianespace SA, of which EADS is the majority owner with a 30% stake, successfully put three satellites into orbit. One promises to expand News Corp.'s DirecTV units offering of channels, and another will provide communications services to Australia and New Zealand. The third satellite is an "experimental" model from the Japanese space agency JAXA. The launch is Arianespace's sixth successful launch of an Ariane-5 rocket, which like the A380 was plagued with problems before it went into service in 2002.
EADS unit Airbus is behind schedule with the launch of the A380, which could lead to lost sales. Last month, EADS agreed to buy out Airbus joint venture partner BAE System plc's 20% stake for $3.5 billion. Shortly after the deal's announcement, Airbus revealed it was having wiring problems with the A380, which will now put the plane's already delayed delivery two years behind schedule.
However, if the giant rocket can get off the ground, then maybe the giant plane can too. —Matthew Wurtzel
See story from CNN
See related story about Airbus buyout from The Deal
See related story about A380 delay from The International Herald Tribune
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