Airbus Defence and Space prepares the future of Earth observation from space

[Airbus Deutschland GmbH - 11.09.2015] Airbus Defence and Space prepares the future of Earth observation from space

Feasibility study contract signed with CNES to prepare future very high-resolution satellites
Airbus Defence and Space has just signed a feasibility study contract with CNES, the French space agency, for future French space-based civil and military Earth observation systems. This contract was announced by CoSpace, the joint government-industry committee on space, which met today in Paris, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, Minister for the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister of Defence, and Thierry Mandon, Minister of State for Higher Education and Research, along with representatives of the ministries concerned.
"If this work was given the green light, its primarily because the service provided by the Pleiades satellites, designed and built by Airbus Defence and Space, has been unanimously recognised as exceptional. The users praise the quality of this dual system and its innovations, more particularly the agility of the satellites, which has made it possible to produce unprecedented imaging, especially in 3D. This contract is crucial for Airbus Defence and Space, the worlds leading exporter of Earth observation satellites," said a delighted François Auque, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space France and Head of Space Systems.
About Airbus Defence and Space
Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europes number one defence and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defence enterprises. It employs more than 38,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €13 billion per year.

Contacts
Astrid Emerit
+ 33 1 39 06 89 43
astrid.emerit@airbus.com
Jeremy Close
+ 44 14 38 77 38 72
jeremy.close@airbus.com
Gregory Gavroy
+ 33 1 39 06 89 42
gregory.gavroy@airbus.com
Ralph Heinrich
+ 49 89 607 33971
ralph.heinrich@airbus.com
Mathias Pikelj
+ 49 75 45 89 123
mathias.pikelj@airbus.com
Francisco Lechón
+ 34 91 586 37 41
francisco.lechon@airbus.com