Madrid, November 24th 2016 – The engineering and technology group SENER and Thales Alenia Space start effectively their pioneering agreement to execute a joint business plan that will lead the Spanish industry in the development of optical payloads for space missions.

The strategic agreement, signed by the CEO of Thales Alenia Space Spain, Eduardo Bellido, the Space and Defence Director of SENER, Diego Rodríguez, and the Vice President for Science and Earth Observation of Thales Alenia Space France, Hervé Hamy, is set in motion with the immediate aim of developing the necessary capacities to lead the sector of “optical observation instruments” in Spain, endorsing the pre-agreement signed in March by both companies.

This alliance, which is born with the aim of developing a national leader in Spain and a European reference in optical observation instruments, ratifies the technological complementarity of both companies, that have collaborated and are currently collaborating in multiple scientific and Earth observation programs.

---- Close professional relationship

SENER’s and Thales Alenia Space Spain’s wide experience and complementarity have been the trigger elements for implementing a joint strategic plan which develops new business lines for both companies, with several commercial opportunities identified in the next years both in the domestic market (future Spanish optical observation satellite) and in the international market.

The agreement foresees a joint investment in the pre-development of critical technologies and the acquisition of key capabilities, which will allow both companies to position themselves as Spanish sector referents with state of the art products in optical observation.

The “space optical observation” market is in permanent evolution and international growth, and is a business niche of the so-called New Economy where the talent and technology of both companies wants to expand its development and be a reference in observation for space applications.

Eduardo Bellido, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Spain, has said: “We are very satisfied to have reached this important strategic agreement –pioneering in the Spanish space sector- with SENER. Thanks to de sum of the capacities of both companies and the significant joint investment, we want to position ourselves as undisputed reference in Spain in optical observation instruments for space applications, with the aim of leading future domestic and international programs”.

Diego Rodríguez, Space and Defence Director of SENER, added: “This agreement represents complementing the capabilities of two leading companies in the space fight segment, as well as giving continuity to the effective expertise from our joint work in the Spanish Earth observation satellite SeoSat / Ingenio”.

Photo legend: from left to right: Diego Rodriguez, Space and Defence Director of SENER and Eduardo Bellido, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Spain

About SENER
SENER is a private engineering and technology group founded in 1956, with nearly 6.000 employees in offices in four continents and a turnover of 1.376 million euros (2015). With 50 years of experience in Space, SENER is a global leader in this sector, providing engineering and production services in five areas of activity: electromechanical components and systems, navigation and attitude control systems (GNC/AOCS), optical systems, microgravity and life support systems and astronomy. To date, SENER has supplied more than 270 devices and systems for satellites and space vehicles to NASA, ESA, JAXA and Roscosmos, all without any single recorded fault. In 2016, SENER celebrates its 60^th anniversary with a long track record of projects, international experience and a team comprised of thousands of professionals who are the co-creators of the innovations that have marked its past and will shape its future.

SENER Press Contact:

María Díaz
Tel: (+34) 91 807 87 01
maria.diaz@sener.es


About Thales Alenia Space Spain
Thales Alenia Space Spain is the country’s leading space company in export markets with over 28 years of experience in the design, development and commercialization of advanced space systems and equipment. The company has contributed to more than 500 satellites, space probes and vehicles used in telecommunications, Earth observation, science, exploration, navigation and orbital infrastructure missions. Investing some 12% of sales in R&D, Thales Alenia Space Spain offers a wide range of solutions spanning the design and integration of payloads and subsystems for telecommunication, data transmission and TT&C (tracking, telemetry and command), optical observation instruments, radiofrequency equipment, data processing and digital electronics, and network management systems for the ground segment.

About Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo-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 2.1 billion euros in 2015, and has 7,500 employees in 8 countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com


Thales Alenia Space España Press Contact:

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

Oriol Casas Thió
Tel. +34 91 807 78 06
oriol.casasthio@thalesaleniaspace.com