Airbus and Eutelsat make multi-million pound satellite investment in UK

A new multi-million-pound deal by European businesses Eutelsat and Airbus for two new satellites will see components and major parts assembled in the UK. Final assembly will be completed in Toulouse, France.

The deal between Airbus and Eutelsat, one of the world’s top three providers of TV broadcast signals, is a vote of confidence in the UK expertise in the space industry, benefitting 500 high skilled workers involved in Eutelsat projects.

The new investment means Airbus sites in Portsmouth and Stevenage will manufacture key components of the two new satellites, which will feature a brand-new electric platform to bring down size and cost, while boosting performance.

Eutelsat is to replace its three existing satellites with two new ones set to launch in 2021. The announcement means that 6 out of 7 of the company’s next satellites will be partially built in Britain, representing inward investment of up to €40 million per year.

The contract signing was announced by Business Secretary Greg Clark, who commented: “This investment is a significant vote of confidence for the UK’s world leading space industry.

“The UK is already a world-leader in developing satellite technology, with a 40% share of the global export market of small satellites and building major parts for one in four of the world’s commercial telecommunications satellites. This new deal builds on the recent announcement, as part of our Industrial Strategy, that the UK is investing in and building its first proposed spaceport in Sutherland. The Spaceport will further develop our expertise and capabilities in the space sector enabling us to launch small satellites.

“Through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are increasing the R&D budget to its highest level ever, building on our commitment to this sector and our world leading science base. This deal demonstrates that science, innovation and business has no borders.”

Paul Adams, aerospace sector specialist at management consultancy, Vendigital, said: “This is positive news for the UK space industry at a time when some other projects linked to Galileo are losing ground due to Brexit.

“With a 40% share of the global export market in the manufacture of small satellites and the regulatory framework in place to support commercial spaceflight by 2020, the UK is now in prime position to further its ambitious plan to secure 10% of the global space market by 2030. These bold plans that could deliver a £40 billion boost for the UK economy.”

Airbus www.airbus.com

Eutelsat www.eutelsat.com