Airbus Explores Sale of US Space Business Amid Push for European Satellite Champion
Airbus is considering the sale of its space activities in the United States as the Franco-German aerospace manufacturer focuses on forging a leading European satellite powerhouse through a three-way merger.
According to people familiar with the matter cited by the Financial Times, Airbus is currently gauging interest from prospective buyers for its US space division.
The company's US space footprint includes a manufacturing plant in Florida and the "Arrow" family of small satellites, which are mass-produced to serve commercial and government telecommunications, imaging, and national security requirements.
In 2024, Airbus took full ownership of the "Airbus OneWeb Satellites" joint venture after buying out the remaining 50% stake it did not already hold. Established in 2016, the joint venture manufactured over 600 first-generation satellites for OneWeb's low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation, delivering space-based broadband internet connectivity.
Reshoring Satellite Production to Europe
Airbus has been progressively relocating satellite manufacturing from the United States to Europe, including the production of 440 LEO satellites at its facility in Toulouse, France—a transition the company described as "a further step toward European sovereignty."
The procurement orders originated from French satellite operator Eutelsat, which acquired UK-based OneWeb following its emergence from bankruptcy in 2022.