Thales Alenia Space celebrates 60 years of expertise and innovation in Belgium
Charleroi, September 29, 2023 – Thales Alenia Space, the joint company between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), is celebrating its 60th anniversary in Belgium during Business Discovery Day on Sunday, October 1st. Held at the company’s Charleroi plant, the celebration will be attended by local elected officials, employees and their families, business partners and stakeholders in the local economy. The company is solidly anchored in Charleroi, home to its Belgian headquarters.
© Thales Alenia Space
Over the last 60 years, the company has contributed to most European space programs and to a large number of satellites from around the world. Thales Alenia Space in Belgium is the country’s largest space company and a world leader in electrical power supplies for satellites. More than 170 satellites now in orbit use equipment from Thales Alenia Space in Belgium.
The company has contributed to European launch vehicles since the 1970s, from Ariane 1 to Ariane 5, along with Vega and Soyuz launches from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. In addition, Thales Alenia Space in Belgium supplies power and control electronics for Ariane 6’s nozzle control and range safety systems.
© Thales Alenia Space
“With this 60th anniversary celebration in Belgium, we’re honoring not only our longstanding heritage, but also the future we’re building along with our employees and local partners to spur major technological advances across the satellite industry,” said Emmanuel Terrasse, Vice President, European Countries & Equipment at Thales Alenia Space.
About Thales Alenia Space in Belgium
© Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space in Belgium, originally known as ETCA (Etudes Techniques et Constructions Aérospatiales), was created in 1963 as a spinoff of the Electronics Division of the Belgian company ACEC (Ateliers de Constructions Electriques de Charleroi). In 1989, this ACEC division was acquired by Alcatel, becoming Alcatel Bell-SDT (Space/Defence/Telecom), then Alcatel ETCA in 1996. It was subsequently incorporated in Alcatel Space as part of the space industry consolidation in Europe. In October 2005, following the merger of Alcatel’s space business with that of the Italian company Alenia Spazio, Alcatel ETCA changed its name to Alcatel Alenia Space ETCA, then became Thales Alenia Space ETCA in 2007 and Thales Alenia Space Belgium in 2013.
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 approximately 2.2 billion euros in 2022 and has around 8,500 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US. www.thalesaleniaspace.com
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 approximately 2.2 billion euros in 2022 and has around 8,500 employees in 17 sites in 10 countries across Europe and a plant in the USA.
THALES ALENIA SPACE – PRESS CONTACTS
Sandrine Bielecki
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com
Catherine des Arcis
Tel: +33 (0)6 78 64 63 97
catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com
Maha Karim-Hosselet
Tel: +32 475 46 49 49
maha.karim@external.thalesgroup.com
