Julian Moxon/PARIS
Dornier Electronic & Software owner Claudio Dornier has vetoed the inclusion of Dornier's space activities in the new Astrium space alliance. Astrium, due to be formed by the end of this year, will bring together the space divisions of Aerospatiale Matra, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa) and Marconi Electronic Systems.
A 96.7%majority of Dornier company shareholders approved the merger of its space activities with the Astrium partners. Claudio Dornier, however, who through Dornier Electronic &Software holds a share of just 0.0001% in the Dornier group, objected to joining the pan-European company in an application to the Ravensburg district court.
Dasa says it "deeply regrets" Claudio Dornier's action, but the group will continue to set up Astrium. "Only those space activities which do not belong to Dornier can be contributed to the tri-national company," says DASA.
Astrium will have sales of around 2.6 billion euros ($2.65 billion) and employ around 8,000 people, making it the world's third largest space company.
Italy's Alenia Aerospazio is expected to join Astrium at a later date.
Source: Flight International
