EADS North America announced Feb. 2 that it joined the Hosted Payload Alliance as an Executive Member. The company will have a seat on the 2012 HPA Board of Directors, which is the alliance’s governing body. EADS Program Manager of Space Systems Claudette Martin will serve as the company’s primary representative to the alliance.

   EADS North America Vice President John Schumacher, who leads Astrium’s U.S. activities, said that EADS North America and EADS’ space division Astrium would look to take an active role in HPA’s strategic efforts.

   “EADS North America is pleased to join the Hosted Payload Alliance. As an HPA member, EADS North America and Astrium will support the Hosted Payload Alliance’s goals and objectives. Astrium is one of the world’s largest GEO and LEO satellite manufacturers and service providers, and has developed solutions to address hosted payload needs. Joining the HPA is a way to develop and advance the exchange between the different stakeholders in this unique forum,” Schumacher said.

   Hosted Payload Alliance Chairman Don Thoma added that the EADS subsidiary also provides global benefits to the organization’s efforts. “EADS North America and Astrium’s international and domestic experience in providing space systems that meet the needs of civil and defense customers will serve as a significant voice on the HPA board.”

EADS North America joins HPA member companies ATK Space Systems, Boeing, Harris, Intelsat, Iridium, Lockheed Martin, Orbital, Raytheon, SES, and Space Systems/Loral as Executive Board members.

   The board has also welcomed European-based launch services provider Arianespace as a new executive member, who joined the alliance to support the additional contract revenue stream it sees in bidding for hosted payload launch deals.

   Arianespace also has experience launching hosted payloads for the U.S. government, as it has already sent the Intelsat Galaxy- 15 satellite into orbit in 2005. In 2011, the company launched the SES-2 and its Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload (CHIRP) sensor into geosynchronous orbit for the U.S. Air Force. The CHIRP sensor included a fixed telescope covering a quarter of the Earth and an infrared sensor supporting wide wide-field-of-view capabilities for the Air Force’s future overhead persistent infrared missions.

   Arianespace President Clay Mowry will serve as the company’s primary representative to the alliance and will advise the board on space transportation policy, specifically in areas where the commercial space sector can help. “We pioneered the launch of some of the first hosted payloads, and want to foster an environment where hosted payloads can thrive,” said Mowry. “Hosted payloads are a cost-effective and secure option for governments to provide augmented services and test new technologies.”