Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), is a leading global manufacturer of space systems and solutions. With over 40 years of experience in the space industry, the company has established itself as a key player in the design, development, and delivery of cutting-edge technologies for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science, and orbital infrastructures.
History and Structure
Thales Alenia Space was formed in 2005 through the merger of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio. The company operates in 10 countries, with 17 sites across Europe and a plant in the United States. Thales Alenia Space employs approximately 8,600 people and generated consolidated revenues of €2.2 billion in 2023.
Telecommunications
Thales Alenia Space is a world leader in the telecommunications satellite market, offering a complete range of solutions from high-performance components to turnkey systems. The company’s Spacebus family of geostationary platforms meets the needs of operators worldwide, while its payloads have proven their performance, reliability, and competitiveness on satellites made by all leading manufacturers.
The company has also been at the forefront of the development of very high throughput satellites (VHTS) and software-defined satellites, such as the Space INSPIRE product line. These innovative solutions provide operators with increased flexibility and adaptability to meet the evolving demands of the telecommunications market.
Earth Observation and Navigation
Thales Alenia Space plays a pivotal role in Earth observation and navigation programs, contributing to the understanding and monitoring of our planet. The company is a key industrial partner in the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program, serving as the prime contractor for the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-3 missions and contributing to the development of payloads for several other Sentinel satellites.
In the field of navigation, Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the Galileo ground mission segment and has been selected to build 6 of the 12 new Galileo Second Generation satellites. The company is also involved in the development of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) and is a key actor in the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) market.
Space Exploration and Science
Thales Alenia Space has been a pivotal partner in numerous international space exploration and science missions across the Solar System. The company has contributed to missions to Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, asteroids, and comets, providing expertise in the design and development of orbiters, landers, and scientific instruments.
Notable projects include the ExoMars mission, for which Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor, and the BepiColombo mission to Mercury. The company has also been involved in the development of major space observatories such as Herschel and Planck, as well as the Euclid mission, which aims to study dark matter and dark energy.
Orbital Infrastructures and Space Transportation
Thales Alenia Space has made significant contributions to the International Space Station (ISS), providing half of its pressurized volume, including the Cupola observation module, the Node 2 and 3 modules, and the Columbus laboratory structure. The company has also been involved in the development of cargo resupply vessels, such as the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and Cygnus spacecraft.
Looking to the future, Thales Alenia Space is playing a key role in the development of the Lunar Gateway, providing three pressurized modules for this ambitious international project. The company is also working on the Axiom commercial space station and is involved in the development of new space transportation systems, such as the Space Rider reusable spacecraft.
Defense and Security
Thales Alenia Space is a strategic supplier of military satellite communications systems in Europe, serving as the prime contractor for the Syracuse system in France, the Sicral system in Italy, and the Satcom BW system in Germany. The company has also produced communications payloads for Turkey, Brazil, and South Korea.
In the field of Earth observation for defense and security purposes, Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for the Italian COSMO-SkyMed radar satellite constellation and has supplied high-performance optical instruments for the French Helios, Pleiades, and CSO observation systems.
Research and Development
Thales Alenia Space invests heavily in research and development to maintain its competitive edge and drive innovation in the space industry. The company has established digital centers of excellence, FabLabs, and partnerships with startups, SMEs, and research centers to foster creativity and develop new technologies and services.
Key areas of focus include the development of small and medium-sized satellites, the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and the exploration of new business models and applications for the space economy.
Summary
Thales Alenia Space’s expertise, experience, and commitment to innovation have positioned the company as a global leader in the space industry. With a comprehensive portfolio of solutions spanning telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation, exploration, and defense, Thales Alenia Space is well-equipped to address the evolving needs of commercial, government, and scientific customers worldwide. As the space sector continues to grow and transform, Thales Alenia Space is poised to play a central role in shaping the future of space technology and exploration.
