Stevenage and Guildford, on 13 January 2009 – Astrium, the European leader in space, has acquired the Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). SSTL is the branch of the innovative University of Surrey, which specializes in the design and manufacture of small satellites and web directory subsystems. Approved by the European Commission in December 2008, this acquisition was announced today by Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS, at its January meeting with the press.

• Astrium acquires Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), the world’s leading manufacturer of small satellites

• Acquisition approved by the European Commission

• SSTL will remain an independent company and teaches at full

Colin Paynter, CEO of Astrium in the UK said “The acquisition of SSTL is great news. The UK space industry is now in a strong position. Astrium has a comfortable order book and is recruiting engineers, scientists and technicians to make scientific satellites, telecommunications, Earth observation and navigation This acquisition will complement the offer of Astrium with the expertise of SSTL in the field of small satellites and its method of developing new markets in space. ” Read the rest of this entry »