OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2016. Horizon 2020 is the European Union research and innovation funding program for the period 2014-2020. For the first time, it groups a number of European initiatives, including the R&D framework program PCRDT*, Euratom, the framework program for competitiveness and innovation, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT ). Thales Alenia Space has made innovation an integral part of its corporate strategy and continues to expand its Research & Technology initiatives, as reflected in the “Ambition Boost” competitiveness plan launched in late 2013. The French-Italian company naturally takes an active role in the Horizon 2020 program, and has already been awarded a number of key projects.

Some of the projects awarded to Thales Alenia Space concern the company’s key sectors, namely satellite navigation and its applications, current and future Earth observation system, and space exploration. Other projects focus more on innovation per se, in terms of advanced technologies, products and industrial processes. Thales Alenia Space is also involved in key projects for the space sector and for Europe, including the management of space debris, European independence and competitiveness, and independent access to space.

Thales Alenia Space welcomes H2020 as one of the vital initiatives needed to develop a strong, independent and competitive Europe,” said Jean Lo?c Galle, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “We have also confirmed our commitment to fostering innovation and incorporating smaller businesses in the value chain, so we can play a full-fledged role as growth driver and job creator in Europe. However, H2020 also encourages us to not rest on our laurels, but to continue our competitive drive to be ready for upcoming global challenges.”

The H2020 projects won by Thales Alenia Space will have a positive impact on new technology developments and building new partnerships throughout Europe. Thales Alenia Space supports the European Commission’s commitment to ensuring that this program has a significant and long-lasting effect by encouraging its efforts to support industry’s competitiveness and ability to win contracts on the open market, while continuing to offer innovative and cost-effective products and services to government customers.

* Le Programme-Cadre de Recherche et D?veloppement Technologique

About Thales Alenia Space:
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%), is a key European player in space telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, exploration and orbital infrastructures. Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio form the two parent companies' “Space Alliance”, which offers a complete range of services and solutions. Because of its unrivaled expertise in dual (civil/military) missions, constellations, flexible payloads, altimetry, meteorology and high-resolution optical and radar instruments, Thales Alenia Space is the natural partner to countries that want to expand their space program. The company posted consolidated revenues of 2.1 billion euros in 2015, and has 7,500 employees in eight countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com