Posted: Mon, Jun 25, 2001, 7:47 AM ET (1147 GMT)
Europe's two biggest satellite firms announced plans late last week to collaborate on a new communications satellite platform. Astrium and Alcatel, in conjunction with the French space agency CNES, announced at the Paris Air Show that they will jointly develop a new large communications satellite system. The system will likely compete with existing and planned large communications satellites by Boeing and other satellite manufacturers. The project will not likely lead to a merger between Alcatel and Astrium as European regulators would likely block such a move, fearing a monopoly. The project, though, may make it easier for the companies to compete given the oversupply in the satellite market and concerns that there is not enough business to support the five existing large satellite manufacturers: Alcatel, Astrium, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Loral.

Related Links:

•  Wall Street Journal article