Thales Alenia Space Rises to the Challenge of a Changing Space Market

• Selected by CLS to develop the Kineis nano-satellite constellation dedicated to Internet of Things services
• Developing the BlackSky constellation through the LeoStella joint venture
• In-orbit delivery of Iridium NEXT, the most sophisticated and highest performance satcom constellation in the world
• VHTS* offer: the most competitive and flexible system on the market
• Expanded offering of high value-added services via the Space Alliance

As World Satellite Business Week opens today in Paris, running through September 14, Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67%, Leonardo 33%) is delighted to have been selected by CLS to develop the Kineis nano-satellite constellation, designed to support connectivity for The Internet of Things. Kineis connectivity draws on a new innovative satellite constellation of 20 nanosatellites with a new communication technology tailor-made for connected objects. CLS has entrusted the development of this constellation to Thales Alenia Space for the prime contractor of the complete system, which will rely on Nexeya for the fabrication of nanosatellite platforms and Syrlinks for its support in the design and construction of the instrument. This selection clearly confirms the pertinence of the products and services offered by Thales Alenia Space to meet emerging market requirements and celebrates its entry as a key player in the IoT sector.

Thales Alenia Space is a pioneer in the construction of satellite constellations, and a full-fledged player in the ongoing transformation of the space sector. For instance, in March 2018, Thales Alenia Space, through the Space Alliance, announced that it was taking a stake in the American company Spaceflight Industries to produce small high-performance and low-cost satellites, starting with the BlackSky system, featuring observation satellites with high revisit rates.

At the same time, Thales Alenia Space already offers the most flexible very high throughput satellite (VHTS) system (ground and space segments), perfectly suited to increasing operator demand for greater flexibility. The company is also delivering the Iridium NEXT communications constellation, while continuing the development of Stratobus, an autonomous stratospheric airship that will perfectly complement satellite systems.

To keep pace with the increasingly digital transformation of the space sector, Thales Alenia Space is automating its production lines and introducing robotics and cobotics (collaborative robots) in its production facilities. Thales Alenia Space is also revamping its product policy, rethinking its supply chain management, forming partnerships with startups and academia, and bolstering its range of satellite systems and associated services, the latter provided through its Space Alliance with Telespazio (Leonardo 67%, Thales 33%).

*VHTS: Very Hight Throughput Satellite