Sectors

Thales Alenia Space

Thales Alenia Space is the clear European reference in space-based science programs. Scientific satellites and probes for exploring the Universe represent the further area of excellence of Thales Alenia Space in Europe. Thales Alenia Space was at the heart of the most ambitious and technological success of the Cassini-Huygens mission to Titan. 

The probe Huygens, built by prime contractor Thales Alenia Space, arrived on Titan, after 7 years cruise. It is the first European company to have met the challenge of integrating a spacecraft designed to resist such harsh conditions.

The most recent programs include the satellites Herschel (for the infrared observation of the Universe), Planck (to observe the cosmic background radiation), GOCE (to make the first high-resolution global map of the terrestrial gravitational field). In the field of the solar System exploration, after the integration of Rosetta (a mission to a comet), Mars Express and Venus Express (missions to Mars and Venus).

The company is deeply involved in the development ExoMars mission for the robotic exploration of Mars. In 2016 Exomars will put an Orbiter around Mars and a Entry Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module will land on the Martian soil.  

The mission will demonstrate the feasibility of several key technologies that are necessary to support the European ambitions for future human exploration. Thales Alenia Space is involving a new great exploration challenger mission in our solar system: the Bepi Colombo program, a mission to discover Mercury.