MOSCOW, April 4 (RIA Novosti) – French space launch company Arianespace has signed a contract with the Russian space agency Roscosmos for the delivery of seven additional Soyuz carrier rockets, the company said Friday.

The order was announced following the successful launch of a new Earth observation satellite aboard a Soyuz, which lifted off from French Guiana in South America.

The Russian-built rockets have been sending satellites into space for several years as part of a 2003 agreement between Russia and France.

Arianespace said the new order will allow it to fulfill private and governmental orders through 2018.

The news came amid souring relations between Roscosmos and NASA.

NASA announced Wednesday it will suspend certain contacts with Russia amid tensions over Ukraine, but said collaboration on the International Space Station will continue.

Astronauts of the two countries are currently living and working together in the orbiting outpost.