Thales Alenia Space transfers technology to the Brazilian space industry
- Thales Alenia Space's partnership with Brazilian Space Agency to guarantee Brazil’s sovereignty in developing optical instruments for Earth observation satellites.
- This new asset will enable Brazil to enter into the major space contributors market.
Cannes, September 26, 2019 - Thales Alenia Space, joint venture between Thales 67% and Leonardo 33%, and the Brazilian Space Agency under the authority of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC) signed an agreement to transfer technology that will enable Brazil to enhance its capability to design and develop optical instruments for Earth observation satellites.
The contract is part of the Brazilian Government Geostationary Defence and Strategic Communications Satellite (SGDC*) program, that aims to provide internet services to 100% of the national territory and a secure and sovereign digital environment for Brazilian government strategic communications. The satellite, developed, manufactured and delivered by Thales Alenia Space, was launched successfully in 2017 and already brings high speed internet to more than 7,000 Public Schools through the Brazilian e-Government Initiative, GESAC.
Thales has been committed to the transfer of technology to Brazil since 2013. Five companies and more than 40 Brazilian engineers have already been trained in France in different space technology departments, overseen by the Thales Alenia Space programme team. In 2015, the company opened its Space Technology Centre in São José dos Campos, to consolidate the position of Thales in Brazil in the space domain.
“We are very pleased to reinforce our collaboration with Brazil”, declared Jean Horanieh, Director, Industrial Cooperation and Partnerships, Thales Alenia Space. “This new contract will expand Brazil’s capacity to develop and manufacture optical sensors, and will open high-resolution satellite camera international markets for Brazil.
"We are very proud of this partnership between Brazil and France through the Brazilian Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space. It is part of Thales’ DNA to be able to contribute with the local developing of technology, supporting the country in its largest challenges, and that honours us immensely”, said Ruben Lazo, Vice President, Thales Latin America.
* Thales Alenia Space signed the SGDC contract with Visiona (a joint venture between Embraer and Telebras) at the end of 2013. This program plays a key role in the Brazilian Space Agency’s Space / Telebras development plan, while also addressing the Ministry of Defense’s strategic requirements.
About Thales Alenia Space
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of about 2.5 billion euros in 2018 and has around 8,000 employees in nine countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com
Thales Alenia Space – Press Contacts:
Sandrine Bielecki
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sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com
Chrystelle Dugimont
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chrystelle.dugimont@thalesaleniaspace.com
Cinzia Marcanio
Tel: +39 06 41512685
cinzia.marcanio@thalesaleniaspace.com