Europe’s Satellite Alliance Talks Show Progress

France’s industry minister confirms progress in talks for a European satellite venture.
It involves Leonardo, Thales, and Airbus, aiming to challenge Starlink.
Negotiations seek equal footing for France and Italy in “Project Bromo.”

France’s industry minister, Marc Ferracci, recently stated that discussions to establish a European space project alliance are moving forward constructively. This initiative involves Italy’s Leonardo, along with France’s Thales and Airbus. The primary goal of this collaboration is to create a stronger European presence in the satellite market, aiming to compete with companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink. Ferracci emphasized France’s support for the project during a meeting in Paris with his Italian counterpart, Adolfo Urso.

Project Bromo’s Ambitions

Italian minister Adolfo Urso indicated that negotiations are focused on ensuring both France and Italy have an equal stake in the project. French President Emmanuel Macron had previously endorsed this venture at the Paris Airshow in June. This proposed alliance, tentatively named “Project Bromo” after an Indonesian volcano, seeks to establish a new satellite manufacturing entity. The objective is to enhance Europe’s competitive position against major players from the U.S. and China in the satellite sector.

Current Status and Challenges

Despite the stated progress, the actual advancement of “Project Bromo” has been described as modest so far. The participating companies, Leonardo, Thales, and Airbus, have been exploring plans for this new satellite manufacturing company. Leonardo’s Chief Executive, Roberto Cingolani, mentioned last month that the three companies would conduct another assessment by the end of July. This assessment aims to determine the current status and next steps for the potential deal.

Additional Information

The push for a stronger European satellite industry reflects a broader global trend of nations and blocs aiming for greater self-sufficiency in space infrastructure. This is partly driven by national security considerations and partly by the growing commercial potential of satellite services. Companies like SpaceX’s Starlink have demonstrated the viability of large-scale, low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations for internet connectivity, prompting other regions to develop their own capabilities. This European initiative could potentially lead to significant advancements in satellite technology and manufacturing within the continent.