EADS has signed a definitive agreement to acquire BAE Systems' 25%stake in Astrium. The transaction will be completed when regulatory clearances have been obtained. The pair will each inject €84 million ($90 million) into the space company before the sale. Meanwhile, full control of Paradigm Secure Communications, set up by BAE to operate the UK's Skynet 5 military satellite communications system, has been transferred to EADS. BAE is leaving the space sector, which it considers to be a non-core business.
Source: Flight International
