European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher (R) is pictured with European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius and welcomed the proposed joint space venture announced Thursday by Airbus, Leonardo and Thales. Photo by Olivier Hoslet/EPA
Officials for Airbus, Leonardo and the Thales Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new space-focused entity to lead the European Union’s space endeavors.
France-based aerospace firm Airbus announced the joint effort on Thursday and said its goal is to “strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in space.”
Along with Rome-based Leonardo and France-based Thales, the new space entity will advance “critical infrastructure and services” that are related to telecommunications, global navigation, Earth observation, science, exploration and national security, according to Airbus.
“This proposed new company marks a pivotal milestone for Europe’s space industry,” Airbus Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury, Leonardo Chief Executive Officer Roberto Cingolani and Thales Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrice Caine said in a joint statement.
“It embodies our shared vision to build a stronger and more competitive European presence in an increasingly dynamic global space market,” they continued.
“By pooling our talent, resources, expertise and R&D capabilities, we aim to generate growth, accelerate innovation and deliver greater value to our customers and stakeholders,” they said.
The joint venture also “intends to serve as the trusted partner for developing and implementing national sovereign space programs” by pooling, building and developing technologies and end-to-end solutions to support space infrastructure and provided needed services.
“It will accelerate innovation in this strategic market in order to create a unified, integrated and resilient European space player with critical mass to complete globally and grow on the export markets,” Airbus officials said.
The joint agreement requires the Airbus Defence and Space entity to provide space-based systems and digital support.
The Leonardo Space Division and Thales Alenia Space will contribute shares in their respective businesses, as well as expertise and other contributions.
The joint entity will employ 25,000 across Europe, while forming an innovative and competitive global space entity.
The proposed joint endeavor does not have a name yet, but each firm will have generally equal ownership, with Airbus owning 35% andLeonardo and Thales 32.5% of the proposed space firm.
European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher said the proposed entity would “change the landscape of the European space industry quite significantly,” as reported by Spaceflight Now.
The new company might become operational as soon as 2027, with regulatory approvals determining its start date, according to CNBC.
It potentially would rival Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, which partners with NASA on several projects, including the space agency’s Habitation and Logistics Outpost to support moon missions.
SpaceX also has launched many European-based space capsules and satellites.
