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Creation of the New Space Alliance between Thales and Finmeccanica

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Telespazio is one of the world's leading operators in satellite services. The Rome-based company employs around 1,400 staff, and operates a network of four space centres and 22 sites spread all over the world. Notably, these include the Fucino Space Centre, which has more than 90 operational antennas, and is the largest satellite telecommunications centre in the world for civil use. Telespazio also has a fleet of mobile units that operate in Italy and abroad. The joint venture between Finmeccanica (67%) and Thales (33%) confirmed Telespazio's growth ambitions. The company also operates in France, through Telespazio France, managing and maintaining ground infrastructure and offering value-added services, and in Germany, through Telespazio Deutschland, which specialises in services for operators in the space sector.

Satellite operations - Telespazio offers integrated solutions covering the space mission value chain: definition, development and integration of the ground segment with control stations and centres, as well as launch assistance and satellite orbit positioning (Launch and Early Orbit Phase - LEOP). Telespazio provides telemetry services, TT&C (Tracking, Telemetry and Command), operations and ground segment management.

Defence - Telespazio supports the Italian Ministry of Defence for homeland security and international peace keeping missions. In particular, Telespazio managed LEOP and the first year of operation of SICRAL - the first Italian satellite defence system dedicated entirely to military communications. Telespazio is currently involved in the development of the SICRAL 1B system and will use part of its transmission capacity.

Networks and Connectivity - Telespazio designs, develops and manages global coverage telecommunication networks. In particular, the company designs and operates IP broadband networks and services for access to internet, VPN, and secure communications in fixed and mobile environment. Telespazio is introducing new services to bring broadband to trains and to provide turn key solutions with the SkyplexNet platform for corporate and institutional customers. Telespazio offers include telemedicine, e-learning, emergency telecommunications and value added services. Furthermore Telespazio develops and manages systems for the broadcast, distribution and transport of television signals for international broadcasters via satellite.

Earth Observation - Telespazio carries out all Earth Observation commercial activities: from acquiring and processing satellite data, to the development and sale of software and products. Telespazio's services are mainly directed towards agencies and companies performing land use control studies, civil protection, disaster management, cartography, agricultural applications and geomarketing. In particular, Telespazio is participating as main player for the development of the ground segment of the ASI COSMO-SkyMed programme, based on a constellation of four satellites operating in any atmospheric condition. Furthermore, the company takes part of the ESA programme GMES, that will provide monitoring services for surveillance and homeland security.

Navigation and Infomobility - Telespazio is Finmeccanica's key operator in navigation and localisation services, a role confirmed by its contribution to the development of Galileo, the European satellite navigation programme. One of the two control centres that will manage the Galileo constellation and mission will be based at the Telespazio Fucino Space Centre. Telespazio will also be responsible for setting up one of the two signal performance validation centres near Rome. Telespazio will play a leading role in the construction and management of the Galileo Test Range (Gtr), the multifunctional technological infrastructure for satellite navigation that will support the development of the system, applications, navigation and positioning equipment.