Astrium Services

Astrium Services was the services arm of EADS Astrium, the European aerospace business owned by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, or EADS. It operated during the final phase of the Astrium organization and focused primarily on the development and delivery of satellite-based communications and related services, with a particular emphasis on secure communications for military and government users. The division was distinct from Astrium Satellites, which manufactured spacecraft and ground systems, and from Astrium Space Transportation, which developed launch vehicles, orbital infrastructure and associated systems. The services activity developed within a broader restructuring of EADS's space operations. Astrium itself originated in 2000 through the combination of Matra Marconi Space, the space division of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and Spanish company Computadores Redes e Ingeniería. It initially operated as a joint venture between EADS and BAE Systems. In June 2003, BAE Systems sold its minority stake to EADS, leaving EADS as the sole shareholder. The former services activities were subsequently organized within EADS's space businesses, including EADS SPACE Services and the later EADS Astrium Services structure. In July 2006, EADS consolidated its principal space subsidiaries and presented them under the Astrium organization, with Services becoming one of its three main operating areas. Astrium Services employed approximately 2,200 people according to contemporary descriptions. Its work included the provision of military satellite communications services and systems rather than only the manufacture of spacecraft. A central element was Paradigm Secure Communications, an operation created by Astrium in connection with the Skynet 5 contract for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. Through this type of public-sector programme, Astrium Services supported secure, resilient communications for defense users and government networks. The business model combined satellite capacity, communications infrastructure, network management and service delivery, helping customers obtain managed access to space-based communications without having to operate every element independently. The division also represented Astrium's wider move from being solely a spacecraft and launch-system manufacturer toward becoming an integrated space-services provider. This approach complemented the group's satellite manufacturing activities and enabled Astrium to participate in long-term government and defense contracts involving operational service delivery. Its activities were associated with European aerospace capabilities and with international markets in which secure satellite connectivity was strategically important. Astrium Services ceased to exist as a separate branded division when EADS reorganized its defense, security and space operations at the end of 2013. Astrium was combined with Cassidian, EADS's defense division, and Airbus Military to create Airbus Defence and Space. EADS was also rebranded as Airbus Group, with Airbus Commercial Aircraft, Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters as its principal divisions. The service capabilities and contracts associated with Astrium Services therefore continued within the successor Airbus organization, but the Astrium Services name itself became defunct.

Astrium Services formed part of the restructuring of European space activities carried out by EADS during the 2000s. Astrium was created in 2000 through the merger of Matra Marconi Space, the space division of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace and the Spanish company Computadores Redes e Ingeniería. The resulting business initially had EADS and BAE Systems as shareholders. When BAE Systems sold its 25 percent stake to EADS in June 2003, EADS became Astrium's sole owner. The later services organization was developed within EADS's space-services activities and was subsequently presented as Astrium Services. In July 2006, EADS integrated several of its national space subsidiaries into a more unified Astrium structure. The resulting organization had three broad areas: Astrium Satellites, Astrium Space Transportation and Astrium Services. Satellites concentrated on spacecraft, payloads and ground systems; Space Transportation covered launchers and orbital infrastructure; and Services focused on delivering operational satellite-based services and systems to customers. Astrium Services specialized in military satellite communications. Its responsibilities included service delivery and systems associated with secure communications for defense and government users. Paradigm Secure Communications became an important constituent of the services business. Astrium had originally created Paradigm in connection with the Skynet 5 contract for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. This reflected a service-oriented model in which a customer received managed and secure satellite communications capabilities, rather than merely purchasing a spacecraft or transponder. The division employed approximately 2,200 people in the period described by contemporary material. Its role was strategically important within Astrium because it extended the group beyond engineering and manufacturing into long-term operational support, network management and communications provision. The business operated in the context of European and international government demand for resilient satellite connectivity, particularly for military communications. Astrium Services did not survive as a standalone brand after the EADS corporate reorganization of 2013. EADS combined Astrium with Cassidian, its defense division, and Airbus Military to form Airbus Defence and Space. EADS itself was renamed Airbus Group. The successor organization retained relevant space, defense and secure-communications capabilities, but the Astrium Services name was discontinued. It is therefore best understood as a defunct historical division and brand rather than as an independent current company.

• 2013

  Astrium Services is absorbed into Airbus Defence and Space

  [1]Astriumen.wikipedia.org

  Astrium, Cassidian and Airbus Military are combined into Airbus Defence and Space, ending Astrium Services as a separate brand.

• 2006

  Astrium's three-division structure is consolidated

  [1]Astriumen.wikipedia.org

  EADS integrates its principal space subsidiaries and organizes Astrium around Satellites, Space Transportation and Services.

• 2003

  EADS becomes Astrium's sole shareholder

  [1]Astriumen.wikipedia.org

  BAE Systems transfers its 25 percent Astrium holding to EADS, ending the joint-ownership structure.

• 2003

  Services activities are organized within EADS's space business

  [1]Astriumen.wikipedia.org

  EADS's space-services activities, including the business later identified as Astrium Services, develop within the group's post-merger restructuring.

• 2000

  Astrium is formed

  [1]Astriumen.wikipedia.org

  Astrium is established through the combination of Matra Marconi Space, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace's space division and Computadores Redes e Ingeniería.

A European defense and government space-services provider focused on secure, managed satellite communications and related operational capabilities.

• Secure satellite communications

  Military satellite communications services

  Managed satellite communications capabilities for military and government customers. The service activity focused on delivering secure connectivity and associated systems, combining space-based communications resources with operational support and network services.

• Government satellite communications

  Paradigm Secure Communications

  A secure communications operation created by Astrium in connection with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence's Skynet 5 contract. Paradigm became a major component of Astrium's services activities and represented the division's long-term managed-service approach to defense satellite communications.

• Defense communications program

  Skynet 5-related services

  Service capabilities associated with the Skynet 5 military satellite communications program for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. Astrium's role involved secure communications service provision through the Paradigm operation rather than only spacecraft production.

• 2013

  Astrium is merged into Airbus Defence and SpaceM&A

  Background

  EADS sought to combine its space, defense and military-aircraft capabilities into a single division.

  Action taken

  Astrium was merged with Cassidian and Airbus Military to create Airbus Defence and Space.

  Aftermath

  Astrium Services ceased as a standalone brand, while its service capabilities and contracts moved into the Airbus Defence and Space organization.

  Source

• 2006

  EADS consolidates Astrium's space activitiesStrategy

  Background

  EADS reorganized several national and specialist space subsidiaries following its acquisition of full ownership.

  Action taken

  Satellite, space transportation and services activities were brought together within the Astrium organization as distinct operating areas.

  Aftermath

  Astrium Services became the dedicated service-delivery division alongside the manufacturing and transportation businesses.

  Source

• 2003

  EADS takes full ownership of AstriumM&A

  Background

  Astrium had operated as a joint venture between EADS and BAE Systems. BAE Systems decided to sell its minority holding.

  Action taken

  EADS acquired BAE Systems' 25 percent stake and became Astrium's sole shareholder.

  Aftermath

  The transaction gave EADS full control over Astrium and facilitated subsequent integration of its space businesses, including services.

  Source

1. 1Astriumen.wikipedia.org