Thales Alenia Space will offer vital modules for transportation to support Europes decision to participate in the Mars Sample Return mission and Moon exploration missions.
Following the European Space Agencys (ESA) Ministerial Council meeting in Spain called Space19+, Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), welcomed the announcements for the European space sector and the sustained commitment of the Member States in space endeavours.
In a statement, Thales Alenia Space said that it fully supported Europes decision to continue the journey to Mars and participate in the Mars Sample Return mission, which is designed to collect samples from the surface of Mars and bring them back to Earth.
In addition to continuing its commitment to the International Space Station through 2030, Europe will also contribute, along with partners from around the world, to future Moon exploration missions by providing vital modules for transportation and for the first space station to orbit the Moon.
Thales Alenia Space also welcomed the decision on the Space Rider, the successor to Europes IXV reentry demonstrator, which will provide Europe with the capacity for routine access and return from low Earth orbit.
In the science field, Thales Alenia Space welcomed the renewed ambition of ESA and its Member States aiming at increasing knowledge and exciting missions, such as ARIEL, Athena and LISA.
Commenting on the development, Jean-Loïc Galle, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space, said: We welcome the decisions taken at the Ministerial Council and we are ready to deploy our full range of proven expertise, capabilities and solutions to support ESA in all these new exciting endeavours.
