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Launch Services Alliance is "back-up" launch service provider alliance between the Arianespace and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. In case one of the partners wouldn't be able to execute launch on time another would provide an alternative service. Alliance offers this service for Ariane 5 and H-IIA expendable launch systems.
Launch Services Alliance was originally formed in July 2003 from an initiative of Arianespace with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Boeing Launch Services, Boeing providing Sea Launch Zenit-3SL. LSA services were used for the first time in October 2003 when Arianespace transferred satellite DirecTV-7S delayed in manufacturing to the Zenit-3SL launch on 4 May 2004. First contract for LSA services was signed in May 2004 for the Optus D1 satellite with Ariane 5 being a primary launch vehicle and Zenit-3SL backup. In 2005 LSA signed its 5th contract.
In 2007 Arianespace and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries reformed the alliance, Boeing not being part of it any more. Since fiscal year 2007 production and management of H-IIA was shifted to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and partnership with Arianespace was hoped to help company enter the market.