Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. and Astraius Ltd. announced today a
collaboration to enhance future satellite launch capabilities from
Prestwick Spaceport.
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Executives from Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
and Astraius Ltd. sign a collaboration agreement to enhance future
satellite launch capabilities from Prestwick Spaceport, Scotland,
on Friday. From left, Sam Marnick, Spirit Executive Vice President
& Chief Operating Officer; President, Commercial, Scott
McLarty, Spirit Senior Vice President, Airbus &
Regional/Business Jets Programs; Ivan McKee, Scottish Government
Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise; Kevin
Seymour, Chief Executive Officer, Astraius; and Sir George
Zambellas, Chairman of Astraius. (Photo: Business Wire)
During a visit to the Spaceport by Scottish Government Minister
for Business, Trade, Tourism, and Enterprise Ivan McKee, the
companies commemorated the announcement with a signing
ceremony.
Prestwick Spaceport, a joint partnership between Glasgow
Prestwick Airport and South Ayrshire Council, aims to become
Europe’s premier location for carrying small satellites into orbit
via “air launch,” a proven technique that enables a rocket to reach
space after being launched from an aircraft that has flown out to
an ideal location over the ocean.
Spirit and Astraius - both located within Prestwick’s developing
space cluster - are working to advance and accelerate the system
components and key processes required for the Astraius horizontal
launch platform. The U.K. government has made orbital launch a key
priority, with the National Space Strategy outlining plans to
secure an increased portion of a global space economy expected to
be worth £490bn by 2030. The space sector in the U.K. already
employs over 45,000 people, with Scotland accounting for one-fifth
of that figure.
Scott McLarty, Spirit Senior Vice President, Airbus and
Regional/Business Jet Programs, said Spirit’s sites in both
Scotland and Northern Ireland are well placed to support and
develop a robust and sustainable space sector.
“Spirit is well-positioned to develop new skills and
technologies to contribute to the U.K.’s resilience and supply
chain in the space sector and support high-value manufacturing
regional hubs,” he said. “We are delighted to be working with
Astraius to explore opportunities to contribute further to the
expansion of the U.K. Space Sector, through the design,
manufacturing, integration and testing of aerostructures for launch
activities.”
Astraius’ horizontal launch solution leverages the accessibility
of C-17 transport aircraft, combining innovative technology with
proven delivery platforms that removes the reliance on individually
modified aircraft and increases responsiveness. The company brings
together an international team with experience in commercial space
launch and operations, to offer an affordable solution that caters
to the growing demand for payloads designed to carry out a variety
of tasks from orbit, such as monitoring climate change and
supporting disaster relief efforts.
Astraius Chief Executive Officer Kevin Seymour stated, "This
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is the first step in what I'm
confident will be a long-term partnership with Spirit AeroSystems.
Spirit's advanced manufacturing expertise and world-class
facilities can significantly bolster our development roadmap,
bringing together UK engineering excellence with proven horizontal
launch technology. With both companies located in Prestwick,
Scotland’s largest aerospace cluster, our collaboration is further
testament to the proactive and vibrant space ecosystem developing
around Prestwick Spaceport.”
On the collaboration between Spirit and Astraius, Minister Ivan
McKee commented, “There is great potential and opportunities in the
space sector in Scotland with the first orbital launch from
Scottish soil due this year. That is why we have identified the
sector as a priority in our National Strategy for Economic
Transformation. Our ambition is clear, we want to become Europe’s
leading space nation by 2030. The signing of this MoU is great
news, and it is another positive step in the development of space
and aerospace opportunities in Prestwick. Spirit AeroSystems brings
a wealth of capability and technologies that can support further
growth of the space sector in Scotland, and I am excited about the
innovative developments Spirit and Astraius can bring to
Prestwick.”
Ian Annett, deputy chief executive officer at the U.K. Space
Agency, said: “We are committed to becoming the leading provider of
commercial small satellite launches in Europe by 2030 and we
welcome the partnership between Spirit AeroSystems and Astraius,
which brings Astraius another step closer towards conducting a
launch from the U.K. Developing orbital launch capabilities is
already helping the space sector to generate growth across science
and engineering supply chains, catalyse investment, create new jobs
and career paths, and inspire the next generation of space
professionals all over the U.K.”
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. ("Spirit"), a subsidiary of Spirit
AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] (“Spirit AeroSystems”).
On the web: www.spiritaero.com and www.astraius.com On Twitter:
@SpiritAero and @AstraiusL
About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.
Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world's largest manufacturers
of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and
business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced
composite manufacturing solutions, the company's core products
include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons,
and nacelles. We are leveraging decades of design and manufacturing
expertise to be the most innovative and reliable supplier of
military aerostructures, and specialty high-temperature materials,
enabling warfighters to execute complex, critical missions. Spirit
also serves the aftermarket for commercial and business/regional
jets. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in
the U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia and Morocco. More information is
available at www.spiritaero.com.
About Astraius Ltd.
Astraius has brought together a formidable international team
with experience in commercial space launch and operations. Astraius
will provide a dependable, global, affordable, low-risk, responsive
launch option for the growing world-wide market for satellite
launch. Astraius is headquartered in the UK with executive offices
in Washington DC, and will operate from new, state-of-the-art,
launch and payload integration facilities at Prestwick
Spaceport.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that
may involve many risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking
statements generally can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe,"
"could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "forecast,"
"intend," "may," "might," "objective," "outlook," "plan,"
"predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would," and
other similar words, or phrases, or the negative thereof, unless
the context requires otherwise. These statements reflect
management's current views with respect to future events and are
subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. Our
actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in
forward-looking statements. We caution investors not to place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
reflected in such forward-looking statements and that should be
considered in evaluating our outlook include, without limitation,
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operations;
the timing and conditions surrounding the full worldwide return to
service (including receiving the remaining regulatory approvals) of
the B737 MAX, future demand for the aircraft, and any residual
impacts of the B737 MAX grounding on production rates for the
aircraft; our reliance on Boeing for a significant portion of our
revenues; our ability to execute our growth strategy, including our
ability to complete and integrate acquisitions; our ability to
accurately estimate and manage performance, cost, and revenue under
our contracts; demand for our products and services and the effect
of economic or geopolitical conditions in the industries and
markets in which we operate in the U.S. and globally; our ability
to manage our liquidity, borrow additional funds or refinance debt;
and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. These factors are not exhaustive and it is not
possible for us to predict all factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those reflected in our
forward-looking statements. These factors speak only as of the date
hereof, and new factors may emerge or changes to the foregoing
factors may occur that could impact our business. Except to the
extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to, and
expressly disclaim any obligation to, publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230317005187/en/
Media: Forrest Gossett +1 (316) 523-5197
forrest.s.gossett@spiritaero.com
Investor Relations: Ryan Avey +1 (316) 523-7040
investorrelations@spiritaero.com
Media (Astraius): Stephen Watson & Lara Zanoni +44 (0)7710
391225 stephen.watson@astraius.com & lara@astroagency.co.uk
Investor Relations: (Astraius) Jonathan Stolerman
jonathan.stolerman@astraius.com
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