British Aerospace Space Systems

British Aerospace Space Systems Ltd was a United Kingdom-based space systems subsidiary of British Aerospace. It operated within the British aerospace group's space activities and contributed to the development of satellite systems, including some of the earliest satellites associated with Eutelsat, the European telecommunications satellite organisation. The business formed part of the industrial base that supported the expansion of European commercial satellite communications during the early satellite telecommunications era. The company changed ownership during the consolidation of Europe's space industry. In 1994, British Aerospace sold British Aerospace Space Systems to Matra Marconi Space. The transaction also included Ferranti Satcomms, bringing related satellite communications capabilities under the Matra Marconi Space organisation. This transfer ended the company's direct status as a British Aerospace subsidiary, although British Aerospace later regained an indirect interest in the broader space business through corporate restructuring. In 2000, Matra Marconi Space was combined with the space division of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG, commonly known as DASA, to create Astrium. The combination reflected the increasing concentration of European aerospace and space activities into larger multinational groups capable of undertaking major satellite, launcher, and space-infrastructure programmes. Through this restructuring, the activities formerly associated with British Aerospace Space Systems became part of Astrium rather than continuing as an independent British Aerospace-branded entity. British Aerospace subsequently regained an interest in the business when British Aerospace merged with GEC's Marconi Electronic Systems to form BAE Systems. That interest was held through BAE Systems' stake in Astrium. In June 2003, BAE Systems sold its 25 percent interest in Astrium. Following the sale, Astrium became associated with EADS, and the former British Aerospace space systems business no longer had a continuing ownership connection with BAE Systems. The company is therefore best understood as a historical corporate space-systems entity whose activities and assets were absorbed into successive European aerospace groups rather than as an active standalone brand.

British Aerospace Space Systems Ltd was established as a subsidiary within British Aerospace's space activities. Its work formed part of the United Kingdom's contribution to the developing European satellite industry, with involvement in projects that included some of the earliest Eutelsat satellites. These programmes placed the business in the commercial telecommunications-satellite sector, where European operators and manufacturers were building infrastructure for international communications. The company ceased to remain under British Aerospace ownership in 1994, when it was sold to Matra Marconi Space. Ferranti Satcomms was acquired in the same transaction, linking the transferred business with other satellite-communications capabilities. The sale was part of the broader restructuring and consolidation of European aerospace businesses, and British Aerospace Space Systems subsequently operated within the Matra Marconi Space organisation rather than as an independent British Aerospace subsidiary. A further structural change took place in 2000. Matra Marconi Space merged with the space division of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG, also known as DASA, to form Astrium. This created a larger European space company with activities spanning satellite and other space-related programmes. The former British Aerospace Space Systems activities were consequently incorporated into Astrium's corporate lineage. British Aerospace later regained an indirect interest in the successor business after its merger with GEC's Marconi Electronic Systems created BAE Systems. BAE Systems held a 25 percent stake in Astrium. In June 2003, BAE Systems sold that stake, and Astrium became associated with EADS. This final transaction removed the former British Aerospace group from ownership of the business and marked the end of its continuing corporate relationship with the successor space organisation. British Aerospace Space Systems is therefore a defunct historical brand and company name, remembered principally for its role in British and European satellite development and for its place in the chain of transactions that led to Astrium.

• 2003

  BAE Systems exits Astrium

  [1]British Aerospace Space Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  In June, BAE Systems sold its 25 percent stake in Astrium, ending its ownership interest in the successor business.

• 2000

  Formation of Astrium

  [1]British Aerospace Space Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Matra Marconi Space merged with the space division of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG to form Astrium, absorbing the successor activities of British Aerospace Space Systems.

• 1994

  Sale to Matra Marconi Space

  [1]British Aerospace Space Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  British Aerospace sold British Aerospace Space Systems to Matra Marconi Space in a transaction that also included Ferranti Satcomms.

A historical British aerospace and satellite-systems business serving European space and commercial satellite-communications programmes.

• Telecommunications satellites

  Eutelsat satellites

  British Aerospace Space Systems was involved in projects concerning some of the earliest Eutelsat satellites. These spacecraft supported the development of European commercial satellite communications and represented the company's role in the manufacturing and integration of satellite systems for international telecommunications applications.

• 2003

  Sale of BAE Systems' Astrium stakeM&A

  Background

  Following the formation of BAE Systems, the group held a minority interest in Astrium, the successor organisation to Matra Marconi Space.

  Action taken

  BAE Systems sold its 25 percent stake in Astrium in June 2003.

  Aftermath

  Astrium became associated with EADS, and the former British Aerospace space business no longer had a continuing BAE Systems ownership link.

  Source

• 2000

  Creation of AstriumM&A

  Background

  Matra Marconi Space and the DASA space division combined to create a larger European space company.

  Action taken

  The two organisations merged to form Astrium.

  Aftermath

  The former British Aerospace Space Systems activities continued within Astrium rather than under their original corporate name.

  Source

• 1994

  Divestment to Matra Marconi SpaceM&A

  Background

  British Aerospace transferred its space-systems subsidiary during a period of consolidation in the European aerospace and satellite industries.

  Action taken

  British Aerospace sold British Aerospace Space Systems to Matra Marconi Space, alongside Ferranti Satcomms.

  Aftermath

  The business left the British Aerospace group and later became part of the corporate lineage that led to Astrium.

  Source

1. 1British Aerospace Space Systemsen.wikipedia.org