Thales Alenia Space Belgium has opened a new facility in Belgium for the development of new avionics products and technologies for satellites and space launch vehicles.

The plant opened at Leuven Thursday "reflects Thales Alenia Space's growing role in Belgium, a country that is fully committed to government-funded space R&D programs at the national and European levels," the company said.

Thales Alenia said the facility's engineers will collaborate with the company's micro-electronics center of expertise in Leuven and also with its Charleroi plant in Belgium.

"By opening this new facility in Leuven, we will boost our position within the Belgian space industry," said Roger Dernoncourt, Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space Belgium. "In particular, this facility includes equipment design services for new European launchers.

"Our goal is to develop innovative solutions that will place us in a strong position to be chosen as a supplier of avionics and electronics on Ariane 6 (launchers)."

Added Jean Loic Galle, president and chief executive officer of Thales Alenia Space: "The opening of this new facility in Belgium is a natural fit with Thales Alenia Space's strategic plan, based on expanding our presence in countries that are investing heavily in space.

"The creation of both this new facility in Leuven and our German subsidiary near Stuttgart, plus the recent opening of Thales Alenia Space UK, are all an integral part of our approach, which aims to ensure the ongoing growth of our company in the coming years."