Hot from the wire.

EADS Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, has acquired Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), the innovative University of Surrey spin-out company which specialises in the design and manufacture of small satellites and subsystems. This acquisition follows the approval of the European Commission in December 2008 and was announced by EADS CEO Louis Gallois at 10:30 this morning at his January briefing for the media in Newport (this will be made available on demand on the EADS Video Centre this afternoon to see this again on demand).

This is great news that we have acquired SSTL. The UK space industry is in a strong position at present – at Astrium we have a healthy order book and we are recruiting engineers, scientists and technicians to build telecommunication and scientific satellites. Acquiring SSTL means we will have a substantial complement to what we can offer customers around the world – SSTL has expertise in small satellites and an innovative approach to developing new markets for space.

said Colin Paynter, CEO of Astrium in the UK.

Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, Executive Chairman of SSTL, said:

This acquisition is essential for SSTL, both in enabling our future plans and maintaining and expanding our R&D investment in competitive new technologies. Being part of Europe’s leading space company will considerably strengthen SSTL’s market position.

SSTL joins EADS Astrium following a decision by the University of Surrey to sell its majority stake of 85% in the small satellite manufacturer. SSTL will remain an independent UK company with its individual brand and unique approach to space whilst benefiting from access to significant financial resources to support the Company's growth. Astrium will benefit from enhanced links with the University of Surrey to support staff training and development, also leading to greater cooperation and increased research on space technology and systems.

SSTL has built its worldwide reputation in small satellites through the development of innovative technologies which have lowered the cost of operational space missions with real world applications, such as GIOVE-A, providing in-orbit validation for the Galileo programme, and the RapidEye and DMC constellations providing commercial Earth observation services. The Company have recently added a small geostationary platform to their product range as well as very high resolution imaging systems for small satellite applications.

EADS Astrium is one of the world’s leaders for its expertise in space transportation, spacecraft and satellite services including prime contractor for Ariane 5, the Columbus space laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle for the International Space Station, and its leading-edge large and complex geostationary telecommunications satellites, and the Skynet 5 secure communications system for the UK Ministry of Defence. SSTL will complement Astrium UK’s existing space capabilities that include space transportation, satellites and services.

Under the share purchase agreement, SSTL will be owned by EADS Astrium NV in the Netherlands.

The acquisition will enhance long-term research collaboration between the University of Surrey and Astrium and will further advance the University’s cutting edge space research capacity. The sale will support the already-strong presence that Guildford and the south-east have in the aeronautical and space industries, creating a centre of expertise for space technology. This will allow for the region to benefit from the Government’s commitment to invest in the UK space industry.

A one-day seminar discussing the Galileo Open Service is being organised by the Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN) Space Special Interest Group on the 12th February at the Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore in London. Speakers from European organisations, Government, Industry and Users will make this an important event for anyone with an interest in Galileo, the European Global Navigation Satellite System.

If you want to find out more about the Galileo Open Service, whether "one size fits all" and discuss the market for the other Galileo services it's worth booking in.

SSTL's Phil Davies has been involved in Galileo since 2003, following the European global satellite navigation system's development from the outset of GIOVE and the launch to its first SSTL-built satellite GIOVE-A. His presentation is entitled "The cost benefit of simplifying Galileo".

Phil will be joined by fellow expert speakers representing satellite navigation equipment manufacturers and end users who will discuss the interoperability between Police, Fire and Ambulance and the impact of Galileo on Road Safety and separate talks on the closely related road pricing enforcement and inner city congestion charging.

The Galileo Open Service (OS) caters for mass-market applications. Similar to the free service currently provided to civilian GPS users, it provides signals for timing and positioning, without user authentication direct to any user with suitable equipment free of charge. For most purposes, cheap single-frequency receivers will be used, but increased accuracy is possible by utilising up to 3 signals. Galileo's Open Service applications will use a combination of Galileo and GPS signals to significantly improve performance in severe environments such as urban areas and offshore areas.

The Open Service does not offer integrity information, and the determination of the quality of the signals will be left entirely to the users. There will be no service guarantee or liability from the Galileo Operating Company on the Open Service.

For up to date infomrmation, speakers and to register please visit the RIN website.