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Thales Alenia Space to sign C/D phase of NEOSAT with European Space Agency

Europe’s New Generation of Telecommunications Platforms in the starting blocks

Paris, September 15, 2015 – The preliminary design phase of the NEOSAT development program, initiated with support of ESA and CNES the French Space Agency through PIA* being now completed, Thales Alenia Space has signed today with ESA the C/D phase contract for the full development and qualification of its new generation satellite platform product line, Spacebus Neo.

Neosat programme, managed jointly by ESA and France’s CNES space agency is supporting Thales Alenia Space to deliver commercially attractive 3–6 tons satellites to meet operators’ needs in the highly competitive worldwide satcom market.

Thales Alenia Space has set up  industrial consortia across Europe; including France, Italy, UK, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Romania, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal, to develop and supply building blocks for the new product line.

Spacebus Neo will embark major innovative solutions such as:
-    a full electrical solution highly reliable
-    a very innovative thermal control subsystem,
-    an optimized power subsystem,
-    a flexible and highly modular design.

Bertrand Maureau, VP Telecommunication in Thales Alenia Space declared: “The Neosat programme is of the highest priority for our company to develop our new Spacebus Neo series which will combine innovation with heritage to achieve a highly competitive and fully modular satellite product line. We have started proposing Spacebus Neo to the market and the positive feedbacks of our commercial customers on this product are the proof that fruitful industry and Agencies teaming is key in a competitive world »

““ESA’s Neosat programme is driving the development of the next generation of telecom platforms to maintain Europe’s lead in the worldwide satcom market. European satellite manufacturers demonstrate that innovation can flourish in a competitive market.””, said Magali Vaissiere, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications

*PIA: French Investment in the Future Plan
 

About Thales Alenia Space:
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%), is a key European player in space telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, exploration and orbital infrastructures. Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio form the two parent companies' “Space Alliance”, which offers a complete range of services and solutions. Because of its unrivaled expertise in dual (civil/military) missions, constellations, flexible payloads, altimetry, meteorology and high-resolution optical and radar instruments, Thales Alenia Space is the natural partner to countries that want to expand their space program. The company posted consolidated revenues in excess of 2 billion euros in 2014, and has 7,500 employees in eight countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com
 

Thales Alenia Space Press Contacts:

Sandrine Bielecki    
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94    
sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com

Chrystelle Dugimont
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 74 06
chrystelle.dugimont@thalesaleniaspace.com

 

 

Contact
Sandrine Bielecki
+33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
Press Officer - Chrystelle Dugimont
+33 (0)4 92 92 74 06 chrystelle.dugimont@thalesaleniaspace.com