European companies Airbus, Thales and Leonardo today signed a memorandum of understanding to form a new satellite company to compete with Elon Musk’s ‘Starlink’.
The resulting company, which could be operational in 2027 if the European Commission gives the green light, will become “a major European space player”, Thales said in a press release.
This project, dubbed Bromo, “constitutes a major step forward in strengthening the European space ecosystem, increasing its capacity for innovation, strategic autonomy and competitiveness, thus allowing Europe to assert its central role in the global space market”, according to Thales.
In turn, Airbus also states in a statement that this merger will reinforce Europe’s sovereignty in the space sector, “which supports essential infrastructures and services related to telecommunications, global navigation, Earth observation, scientific research, exploration and national security”.
European aerospace giant Airbus will contribute to its Space Systems and Digital Space business from its Airbus Defense and Space division.
Thales will mainly contribute with its actions in its space division, Thales Alenia Space, as well as Telespazio and Thales SESO.
Finally, Leonardo will contribute to its space division, including its shares in Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space.
The new entity also aims to become the trusted partner for the development and implementation of sovereign space programs for European countries.