European manufacturer EADS Astrium has teamed up with Polish space institute CBK PAN to create a 50/50 joint venture.
Called Astri Polska, the JV will work on space technologies and services for both Polish and international customers. More specifically,…
European manufacturer EADS Astrium has teamed up with Polish space institute CBK PAN to create a 50/50 joint venture.
Called Astri Polska, the JV will work on space technologies and services for both Polish and international customers. More specifically, Astri Polska will notably look to develop satellite applications for disaster management and security.
“The Space Research Centre is a key pillar of Poland’s space community and was a natural partner for Astrium as we look to enhance the country’s space ambitions,” Hugues de Galzain, senior vice president of Astrium responsible for international affairs, stated.
With this partnership, part of the Astrium Central Europe (ACE) programme, Astrium is looking to expand its European footprint.
ACE was created to encourage cooperation with Central European countries that became members of the European Union over the last ten years and want to be part of the European Space Agency (ESA).
Those countries that are not part of ESA yet are known as European Cooperating States (ECS).
The manufacturer said in November that it opened a new office in Czech Republic, which became an ESA member in 2008.
“The ACE programme is testament to Astrium’s strong commitment in creating successful new partnerships throughout Central Europe,” added Galzain.
Astrium explained that, besides Poland, it is working closely with other ECS countries such as Hungary, Estonia and Romania to develop space programmes there.
This is the second JV announced in recent months.
In mid-November, Astrium and Air Liquide, a French industrial gases supplier, set up a partnership to build the cryogenic upper stage tank of Ariane 5 Midlife Evolution (ME).
According to Astrium, the ME programme is aimed at increasing the payload capacity of the launcher from ten to 12 tonnes and will have a new re-ignitable upper stage to better place multiple satellites into orbit or send probes to other planets. The new version of Ariane 5 could be operational by the end of 2016.
The manufacturer did not respond to requests for comment before going to press.
