Turin, 24 July 2017 –Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), today signed a co-operation agreement for technical-scientific and training with the University of Turin confirming both Turin and the Piedmont region as strategic hubs for the aerospace sector in Italy.

Signed by Donato Amoroso, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Italia and Gianmaria Ajani, Chancellor of the University of Turin, the agreement materializes a long-term strategic co-operation programme, in which research, innovation and training are tightly integrated with economic and productive context. Partnerships such as this between universities and businesses are a powerful source of excellence in cutting-edge areas, expanding on initiatives already in place in the aerospace sector.

In particular, Thales Alenia Space and the University will collaborate in several scientific sectors of interest to the aerospace industry, including from physics and chemistry, the study of cosmic radiations and water quality, materials science and information technology. The programme will also cover the study of metallic and polymer materials for future spaceships and virtual reality, as well as biology and geology (analysis of extra-terrestrial rocks and zero-gravity cultivation), plus a variety of topics ranging from medicine to physics by studying the impact of space on different aspects of health. Co-operation is also being envisaged in space-related issues in other areas such as sociology, economy and law.

“The co-operation agreement signed today underlines the importance of the R&D department as a priority focus within the corporate strategy of Thales Alenia Space,” commented Donato Amoroso, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Italia. “This strategy promotes initiatives that drive innovation, working with other businesses and the academic community in order to encourage employment growth and train young people, confirming the cross-cutting nature of the aerospace sector.”

“The University is a benchmark in the Piedmont region as far as the aerospace sector is concerned and our taking part in the Aerospace District and in the successful Aerospace Platform projects proves it has stated the Rector GIanmaria Ajani. In recent years, several collaborations have developed between The University of Turin and Thales Alenia Space. In particular, our Departments have on going collaborations in the field of new materials and on the effects of cosmic radiation on the astronauts’ health.”

About Thales Alenia Space
Combining 40 years of experience and a unique diversity of expertise, talents and cultures, Thales Alenia Space architects design and deliver high technology solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments, institutions and companies rely on Thales Alenia Space to design, operate and deliver satellite-based systems that help them position and connect anyone or anything, everywhere, help observe our planet, help optimize the use of our planet's – and our solar system’s – resources. Thales Alenia Space believes in space as humankind’s new horizon, which will enable 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 and solutions. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of about 2.4 billion euros in 2016 and has 7,980 employees in nine countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com

Thales Alenia Space Press Contacts:

Cinzia Marcanio
Tel: +39 06 41512685
cinzia.marcanio@thalesaleniaspace.com