Verified Nov 2026
Electronics & Software
·
Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
·
Since 1997
Thales Alenia Space is a space manufacturer headquartered in Cannes, France, founded in 1997 and employing between 5,000 and 10,000 people. It is a joint venture between the French Thales Group and the Italian Leonardo S.p.A. The company builds satellites and related ground systems for telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation, and scientific missions, serving space agencies, governments, and private industry. In 2026 it was awarded a contract by Nigeria's NIGCOMSAT to build the NigComSat-2A geostationary telecommunications satellite.
Thales Alenia Space at a glance
Revenue
$1-5B
Est. band
Employees
5,000-10,000
Founded
1997
Headquarters
Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
Import activity
11
Industries
Automotive
Electric Vehicles
Electronics
Military & Defense
Plumbing & Hardware
Renewable Energy
Sourcing and import activity
From US customs bill-of-lading records
US sea imports
11
Named foreign suppliers
2
Top origins
Germany · Portugal
Shared foreign counterparties do not establish that these companies buy from Thales Alenia Space.
What this tells a buyer
The record contains no customs or trade data for the company, but its most recent reported development is a September 2026 contract award from NIGCOMSAT for the NigComSat-2A geostationary telecommunications satellite.
Its product range includes satellite manufacturing for telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation, and exploration, and the company holds no certifications listed in the record.
The company is privately held, has an estimated annual revenue band of $1-5 billion, and reports Airbus among its customers.
Source: US customs bill-of-lading records and public filings · Last verified Nov 05, 2026
Overview
Thales Alenia Space is a space manufacturer headquartered in Cannes, France, founded in 1997 and employing between 5,000 and 10,000 people. It is a joint venture between the French Thales Group and the Italian Leonardo S.p.A. The company builds satellites and related ground systems for telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation, and scientific missions, serving space agencies, governments, and private industry. In 2026 it was awarded a contract by Nigeria's NIGCOMSAT to build the NigComSat-2A geostationary telecommunications satellite.
At a glance
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Founded | 1997 |
Headquarters | Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur |
Employees | 5,000-10,000 |
Revenue | $1-5B (estimated) |
Primary capability | Electronics & Software |
What Thales Alenia Space makes
Its product range includes satellite manufacturing for telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation, and exploration, and the company holds no certifications listed in the record.
Products and capabilities described on the company's own site include LED (source: thalesaleniaspace.com).
Trade and customs footprint
The record contains no customs or trade data for the company, but its most recent reported development is a September 2026 contract award from NIGCOMSAT for the NigComSat-2A geostationary telecommunications satellite. US customs bill-of-lading records list 11 inbound shipments across 2 foreign suppliers, with top origins including Germany · Portugal.
Known customers
The counterparties below come from public sources that state the relationship directly. A shared counterparty does not by itself establish a current buying relationship unless the source says so:
Airbus — reported by thalesaleniaspace.com
Latest developments
2026-10-30 — IRIS² CONSTELLATION: MDA SPACE TO PROVIDE THALES ALENIA SPAC | MDA Space (mda.space)
2026-10-27 — Two additional Galileo Second Generation satellites awarded to Thales Alenia Space | Thales Alenia Space (thalesaleniaspace.com)
2026-09-14 — Thales Alenia Space wins NIGCOMSAT contract to build NigComSat-2A geostationary telecommunications satellite | Thales Alenia Space (thalesaleniaspace.com)
2026-09-10 — Thales Alenia Space to provide digital and secure payloads for 330 IRIS2 telecommunications satellites in Low Earth Orbit | Thales Alenia Space (thalesaleniaspace.com)
2026-07-31 — Hisdesat strengthens the strategic capabilities of Spain’s Ministry of Defence with SpainSat NG III | Thales Alenia Space (thalesaleniaspace.com)
2026-06-30 — Thales Alenia Space awarded contract by Es’hailSat to build cutting-edge telecommunications satellite in geostationary orbit | Thales Alenia Space (thalesaleniaspace.com)
Facilities
Thales Alenia Space is headquartered in Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur. Public sources also reference these locations:
Rome, Italy — thalesaleniaspace.com
Toulouse, France — thalesaleniaspace.com
Company details
The company is privately held, has an estimated annual revenue band of $1-5 billion, and reports Airbus among its customers. Thales Alenia Space was founded in 1997, has an estimated 5,000-10,000 employees, and is headquartered in Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur.
Frequently asked questions
What does Thales Alenia Space make?
Thales Alenia Space is a space manufacturer headquartered in Cannes, France, founded in 1997 and employing between 5,000 and 10,000 people. It is a joint venture between the French Thales Group and the Italian Leonardo S.p.A. The company builds satellites and related ground systems for telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation, and scientific missions, serving space agencies, governments, and private industry. In 2026 it was awarded a contract by Nigeria's NIGCOMSAT to build the NigComSat-2A geostationary telecommunications satellite.
Where is Thales Alenia Space headquartered?
Thales Alenia Space is headquartered in Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (5 Allee des Gabians, Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, 06150).
When was Thales Alenia Space founded?
Thales Alenia Space was founded in 1997.
How big is Thales Alenia Space?
Thales Alenia Space has an estimated 5,000-10,000 employees, with revenue in the $1-5B range (estimated).
Does Thales Alenia Space import from overseas suppliers?
US customs bill-of-lading records show 11 inbound shipments for Thales Alenia Space, with top origins including Germany · Portugal.
Who are Thales Alenia Space's customers?
Public sources directly reference Airbus as a counterparty of Thales Alenia Space. Confirm current programs with the company, as reported relationships may change.
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Last verified Nov 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.
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