Thales Hellas and Thales Alenia Space sign MoU with Hellenic Space Agency covering future cooperation in space-based Earth observation
Cannes/Athens, July 1st, 2019 – Thales Hellas, Thales Alenia Space and the Hellenic Space Agency (HSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering space cooperation. This MoU will essentially focus on Earth observation.
Thales Alenia Space has accumulated for 40 years considerable expertise and experience in the field of space telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, science and exploration, orbital infrastructures and space transportation. Thales Hellas is a wholly owned Greek subsidiary of Thales Group that has been operating in Greece for the past 30 years.
Created in 2018, the Hellenic Space Agency (HSA) is Greece’s national entity responsible for space and is part of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks.
The MoU capitalizes on Thales Alenia Space's heritage and Thales Hellas’ broad knowledge of the Greek market. Thales Alenia Space is keen to develop new partnerships with Greek industry for space and ground segments as well as end-to-end systems. The objective of this MoU is to foster cooperation between HSA, Thales Alenia Space and Thales in the context of national, European and international space programs with a view to maximizing the role of Greece’s industry and scientific community. The intention is to build synergies, boost the Greek space industry’s capabilities, and strengthen capacity in the space sector.
HSA aspires to play a pivotal role in space in Greece and to translate research and technology efforts into economic and industrial development. In addition, HSA is seeking to develop and implement strategic partnerships with other space agencies to implement the nation’s space policies and strategies.
“We are delighted to support the Hellenic Space Agency in developing its position in the space market,” said Marc-Henri Serre, Vice President, Domain Observation & Science France, Thales Alenia Space. “This MoU is built on the exceptional know-how of Thales Alenia Space and the historical presence of Thales Hellas which allowed fruitful collaboration with Greek industry. We are looking forward to collaborating soon through work groups on exciting space programs.”
Antonios Dimitropoulos, Director of Operations at Thales Hellas, added:
“It is very satisfying that Thales Hellas signs this agreement to enhance cooperation with the Hellenic Space Agency. We are certain that Greece is set to play an important role in the space sector in Europe, through its network of fast-growing companies and institutions working in space. With this MoU and our closer partnership, we hope to achieve our vision of boosting Greece’s industry and supporting space-related activities.”
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
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
Cinzia Marcanio
Tel: +39 06 41512685
cinzia.marcanio@thalesaleniaspace.com
About Thales Hellas
Thales has been active in Greece for 30 years, supplying a number of major systems to the Hellenic Armed Forces. In civil markets, Thales has supplied much of the country's air traffic control systems as well as signaling systems for the mainline rail network and supervision and communication systems for the Athens metro. Thales is playing an active role in the development of the Greek defense industry through a network of local SMEs and participates in European Programs in cooperation with Greek Universities and Research Centers. In addition, Thales is an active member of a number of local industry organizations, including SEV (Hellenic Federation of Enterprises), HASDIG (Hellenic Aerospace Security & Defense Industries Group), SEKPY (Hellenic Manufactures of Defense Material Association),EVIDITE (Greek Space Association) and si-Cluster (Space Cluster). The company is also an accredited supplier of defense systems to the Greek Ministry of Defense.
