[Satellite TODAY 10-29-10] Astrium and space cryogenics specialist Air Liquide established a new joint venture to develop and produce cryogenic tanks for Arianespace’s Ariane 5 Midlife Evolution (ME) upper-stage engine, the companies announced Oct. 28.
   Astrium, the European Space Agency’s prime contractor for the development of the Ariane 5 ME, said the joint venture would establish 40 new jobs when development work begins in 2011 at a purpose-built facility near Astrium’s Bremen site.
    The new cryogenic Ariane 5 ME upper stage will be fuelled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, capable of lifting 12 metric tons of payload and have re-ignition capability, which will allow the launcher to place multiple satellites into orbit or send probes to other planets. French development company Cryospace and Air Liquide will continue to produce the fuel tanks for the current ECA and ES versions of the Ariane 5 launchers.
    Ariane 5 ME’s debut launch is scheduled for the end of 2016.