Thierry Dubois
October 16, 2025

Josef Aschbacher

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher says the agency will have to monitor a potential merger “to see how this impacts … our competition rules,” among other issues.

Credit: Martin Bertrand/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty

PARIS—While Airbus, Leonardo and Thales are discussing whether and how they could merge their satellite manufacturing and services businesses, the European Space Agency (ESA) is closely looking at the ramifications for its own activities. The talks aim to create critical mass among Europe’s leading…

Thierry Dubois

Thierry Dubois has specialized in aerospace journalism since 1997. An engineer in fluid dynamics from Toulouse-based Enseeiht, he covers the French commercial aviation, defense and space industries. His expertise extends to all things technology in Europe. Thierry is also the editor-in-chief of Aviation Week’s ShowNews. 

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