Rome 18 May 2017 15:39
The European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen) has awarded a Framework Contract for the supply of the Copernicus Service in Support to EU External Action Geospatial Production, for a maximum value of 7.5 million euro, to a consortium of European industries led by e-GEOS - a joint venture between Telespazio (80%) and the Italian Space Agency (20%).
Through this service, e-GEOS will assist SatCen to support the European Union in its external action, providing EU with geo-information on remote, difficult to access critical areas, where security issues are at stake. Copernicus will also support EU in situations of crisis or emerging crisis and to prevent global and trans-regional threats having a destabilizing effect.
To grant the large satellite imagery 24/7 production capacity required by the contract, e-GEOS will lead a European consortium including GAF and Telespazio Iberica – both part of the Telespazio group (a joint venture between Leonardo 67% and Thales 33%) -, Airbus Defence and Space, GMV, IABG and SIRS.
Massimo Comparini, CEO of e-GEOS, said: “We are honored to drive such a European industrial team in support to the EU SatCen, one of the most important entrusted entities of the European Commission. With this contract, e-GEOS, together with its industrial shareholders, Telespazio and Leonardo, is confirming its leadership as service provider within the European Copernicus programme and the importance to establish strong and valuable partnerships with key players to provide the best services to EU”.
About SatCen
The EU Satellite Centre supports the decision making and actions of the European Union in the field of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), in particular Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), including European Union crisis management missions and operations, by providing products and services resulting from the exploitation of relevant space assets and collateral data, including satellite imagery and aerial imagery, and related services. SatCen is a decentralised agency of the EU working under the supervision of the Political and Security Committee and the operational direction of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.