Airbus considers selling US space activities as Europe seeks stronger position

13:13

By: Azzat Manal

Airbus considers selling US space activities as Europe seeks stronger position

Airbus is reportedly considering a strategic review of some of its space operations in the United States, including the possibility of selling its American satellite business. The move comes as the European aerospace group works with Thales and Leonardo on a broader plan to strengthen Europe’s position in the increasingly competitive global space industry.

According to reports cited by the Financial Times, Airbus has begun exploring potential interest from buyers for its US-based satellite operations. The business includes an industrial facility in Florida and the Arrow range of small satellites.

The activities are part of Airbus OneWeb Satellites, which became fully owned by Airbus in January 2024 after the European group acquired Eutelsat-OneWeb’s stake in their joint venture. Established in 2016, the company played a major role in manufacturing more than 600 low-Earth-orbit communications satellites for the first generation of the OneWeb constellation.

The US operation serves commercial and institutional customers, including clients connected to national security. Its annual sales are estimated to be worth several hundred million dollars, although Airbus has not publicly confirmed that it is seeking a buyer.

The potential sale comes as Airbus faces significant challenges in its space business. The company has recorded substantial charges on several satellite programs, reflecting difficulties affecting parts of the telecommunications satellite market.

In 2024, Airbus booked around €1.3 billion in charges related to its space programs, including approximately €300 million during the final quarter of the year. The pressure has encouraged the company to reconsider how it allocates resources across its space activities.

At the same time, Airbus is pursuing a major industrial partnership with Thales and Leonardo. The three European groups aim to combine selected space operations and create a larger entity capable of competing more effectively on the international market.

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2025 to establish a framework for the planned combination. The project still requires regulatory approvals, particularly from European authorities, with the partners targeting the launch of the new entity in 2027 if the necessary clearances are obtained.

The restructuring reflects a broader transformation of the global space sector. Satellite constellations, lower launch costs and the rapid expansion of private space companies have intensified competition and increased pressure on traditional aerospace groups.

SpaceX has emerged as one of the industry's most powerful players, while China's space capabilities have also expanded rapidly. European companies are therefore seeking greater scale and closer industrial cooperation to protect the continent's strategic interests and technological capabilities.

If Airbus ultimately sells its US satellite operations, the decision could form part of a wider effort to streamline its portfolio and concentrate resources on strategically important European activities. The outcome could also influence the balance of power within Europe's space industry as the continent seeks to build a stronger competitor on the global stage.