EADS and BAe Dispute Details of Astrium Reorganization

The European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (EADS) and BAe Systems are in negotiations regarding a restructuring of their jointly owned space business, Astrium. EADS is seeking to consolidate its space industry operations formed last year by the merger of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Aerospatiale Matra and Casa. EADS also inherited other satellite activities from Aerospatiale during last year’s merger which are currently outside the Astrium joint venture.

EADS owns 75 per cent of Astrium and BAe holds the remaining 25 per cent. BAe is opposed to any move that would inject more assets from EADS into Astrium which would require a corresponding injection of capital by BAE to maintain its present stake. BAe argues that it has "the right to remain a 25 per cent shareholder".

SPACEandTECH Digest is a weekly roundup of the latest industry news of interest to the space professional. SPACEandTECH Flash! is an internet push service offered by Andrews Space & Technology to bring the latest on orders, launches, and important breaking news to your desktop. SPACEandTECH Digest and SPACEandTECH Flash! are part of the Andrews Space & Technology www.spaceandtech.com website, a website designed to serve the information needs of the space industry.

If you would like to subscribe to the SPACEandTECH Flash! (currently a free service), contact the www.spaceandtech.com Editor-in-Chief, Joe Hopkins, at editor@spaceandtech.com