The three missions will include the launches of Intelsat’s high throughput EpicNG–class satellites, designed to address wireless and fixed telecommunications, enterprise, mobility, video and government applications that require broadband infrastructure.

   Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall touted the deal as a major win for the company, especially in an expanding competitive market.

“We are particularly proud to be able to serve the world’s largest satellite operator and we thank Intelsat,” Le Gall said in a statement. “It is an honor to continue a partnership that goes back nearly 33 years. This new contract for three satellites—representing the 52nd, 53rd, and 54th satellites Arianespace will have launched for Intelsat— is for us a confirmation of the quality and the competitiveness of our launch services.”

   Financial details of the launch were not disclosed.

   Separately, Arianespace has made it official that Jean-Yves Le Gall will be leaving his post at the launch company to take up a new role as head of the French Space Agency Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), effective in early April.

   Stéphane Israel, the chief of staff at Arnaud Montebourg, is poised to take over for Le Gall at Arianespace. Israel is no stranger to the launch industry and has served as an adviser to EADS Astrium’s board of directors.

   Le Gall, a past Via Satellite Executive of the Year Award winner, joined Arianespace in 2001 before being named President and CEO in 2007. He was critical in the development of the Ariane 5 rocket, which has ten years of continued success since 2003 with 53 launches, as well as the expansion of the launcher’s portfolio to include the medium-size Soyuz and small-size Vega launch vehicles.