Thales Alenia Space creates German subsidiary

Thales Alenia Space has opened a subsidiary in Germany with the aim of increasing its presence in the country, according to the satellite manufacturer.
Called Thales Alenia Space Deutschland, the separatelyowned subsidiary will be located close to…

Thales Alenia Space has opened a subsidiary in Germany with the aim of increasing its presence in the country, according to the satellite manufacturer.

Called Thales Alenia Space Deutschland, the separatelyowned subsidiary will be located close to Stuttgart and will be headed by Sven Cartensen, who was previously responsible for the Thales Air Systems division within Thales Deutschland.

The latter is a subsidiary of the Thales Group.

In a statement, Carstensen said: “In creating a fully German incorporated company, Thales Alenia Space, one of Europe’s leading space equipment, sub-systems and prime contracting companies, will be able to directly invest in a country that plays a very important political and financial role today in shaping Europe’s Space policy.” More specifically, the subsidiary will first focus on integrating activities that focused on EGNOS and Galileo ground systems.

It added that it will then expand its portfolio to other space business areas.

In addition, Thales Alenia Space Deutschland is looking to reinforce its relationships with some German manufacturers and partners including the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the European Space Agency (ESA), the Germany subsidiary of Astrium and OHB-System, the German space systems developer.

Last year, OHB won the contract to build the first 14 Galileo satellites, out of a maximum of 32, a deal that is worth ?566m.

This is not the first time that Thales Alenia Space and OHB have worked together. Back in August 2010, OHB Technology acquired 100% of Thales Alenia Space Antwerp from Thales Alenia Space France for an undisclosed amount.

The acquisition was a good fit for OHB as it bolstered its ground segment operations as well as complemented its growth strategy of increasingly participating in ESA projects.

Thales Alenia Space is a JV between French aerospace and defence company Thales (67%) and Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica (33%). The company could not be reached for comment before the press deadline.