Stevenage and Guildford, on 13 January 2009 - Astrium, the European leader in space, has acquired the Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). SSTL is the branch of the innovative University of Surrey, which specializes in the design and manufacture of small satellites and subsystems. Approved by the European Commission in December 2008, this acquisition was announced today by Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS, at its January meeting with the press.

• Astrium acquires Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), the world's leading manufacturer of small satellites

• Acquisition approved by the European Commission

• SSTL will remain an independent company and teaches at full

Colin Paynter, CEO of Astrium in the UK said "The acquisition of SSTL is great

news. The UK space industry is now in a strong position. Astrium has a comfortable order book and is recruiting engineers, scientists and technicians to make scientific satellites, telecommunications, Earth observation and navigation This acquisition will complement the offer of Astrium with the expertise of SSTL in the field of small satellites and its method of developing new markets in space. " Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, Executive Chairman of SSTL, added: "This acquisition is essential for SSTL. It will allow us to both to start our future projects and expand our R & D investment in new competitive technologies. The integration of SSTL at leading European space considerably strengthen its position in the marketplace. " SSTL joined perimeter of Astrium following a decision of the University of Surrey to sell its majority share of 85% stake in builder of small satellites. SSTL will remain a British company and an independent education in itself and retain its unique approach to space as well as access to greater resources needed to grow the company. For its part, Astrium will benefit from the consolidation of its links with the University of Surrey to support training and staff development, to strengthen cooperation and expand research in technology and space systems. SSTL has built its reputation in the field of small satellites by developing innovative technologies that have reduced the cost of operational space missions by providing concrete world applications, such as GIOVE-A, providing in-orbit validation of the program Galileo, and the DMC and RapidEye constellation, which SSTL has provided services for Earth observation. The company recently added a small geostationary platform to its portfolio of products and systems for high resolution imaging applications of small satellites. Astrium is one of the world leaders in space thanks to its expertise in space transportation, spacecraft and satellite services. The company handles the project management of many key programs, including the Ariane 5 launcher, the Columbus space laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle ATV to the International Space Station (ISS), as well as major telecommunications satellites system and the Skynet 5 secure communications to the British Ministry of Defense (MoD). SSTL will complement the existing capacity of Astrium space in the areas of space transportation, satellites and services. Under the capital acquisition agreement, SSTL will be owned by Astrium NV in the Netherlands. This acquisition will consolidate the long-term research collaboration between the University of Surrey and Astrium, and enhance the peak capacity of the University's research space. This acquisition will strengthen further the already significant presence in the city of Guildford and the south-east England in the aeronautics and space industries, creating a center of excellence in space technology. The region will benefit from the government's commitment to invest in the British space industry.