Table of Contents
Airbus is considering selling its American space division to focus its efforts on an ambitious project in partnership with Thales and Leonardo, aiming to compete with SpaceX and Chinese companies in the European space sector.
Key takeaways
Imagine a world where Europe rises to the top of the global space industry, directly competing with giants like SpaceX. This is the bold bet that Airbus, in collaboration with Thales and Leonardo, intends to take on. This initiative could transform the way Europe approaches space technology and strengthen its position on the international stage.
According to information relayed by the Financial Times, Airbus has begun to explore potential buyers for its space division in the United States. This decision is part of Airbus’s strategy to focus its resources on developing its European partnership with Thales and Leonardo.
The financial difficulties faced by Airbus in the space sector have led to this strategic reflection. In 2024, the company recorded charges of 1.3 billion euros, including 300 million in the fourth quarter, which increased the pressure to reorganize its priorities.
In January 2024, Airbus bought the 50% stake of Eutelsat-OneWeb in their joint venture, thus taking full control of Airbus OneWeb Satellites (AOS). The Merritt Island factory in Florida is a strategic asset for Airbus, having produced more than 600 satellites for the OneWeb constellation.
The Arrow satellite range, which is also part of the offer, includes small satellites designed for observation and security missions. These assets are estimated at several hundred million dollars by the Financial Times.
The Bromo project, supported by Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo, is at the heart of the European strategy to compete with SpaceX and China. In October 2025, a memorandum of understanding was signed to merge the satellite manufacturing and space systems capabilities of the three groups.
This initiative aims to create a robust and competitive European supply chain. The support of the European Commission is crucial to advance this project, especially in a context where the military dimension of the space sector is gaining importance.
As Airbus strives to reorganize its space strategy, the company could also be interested in new technologies, such as high-frequency communication satellites and interconnected satellite constellations. These innovations could play a key role in the next generation of space technologies.
Furthermore, Airbus could explore partnerships with companies specializing in artificial intelligence to optimize space operations and data analysis. These potential collaborations could pave the way for significant advances in the space field.
The global space industry faces major challenges, including intense competition between established and emerging players. European companies, such as Airbus, must navigate an environment where massive investments from the United States and China increase the pressure to innovate.
The ability to maintain global competitiveness will largely depend on the ability of European companies to collaborate effectively and invest in cutting-edge technologies. The decisions made today will have a lasting impact on the future of the European space industry.
Why would Airbus sell its American space branch?
Airbus is considering selling its space division in the United States to focus its resources on developing the Bromo project with Thales and Leonardo, aiming to create a European space champion.
What is the Bromo project about?
The Bromo project is a collaboration between Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo to merge their satellite manufacturing and space systems capabilities, in order to compete with SpaceX and China.
What is the interest in Airbus’s acquisition of AOS?
By taking full control of Airbus OneWeb Satellites, Airbus strengthens its satellite production capacity, which is strategic for the development of the OneWeb constellation and other space projects.
What are the challenges for the European space industry?
The European space industry must face intense competition and the need to innovate, while navigating a context of limited resources compared to competitors like the United States and China.