On Thursday March 9th, French President Jacques Chirac visited Alcatel Alenia Space’s operational headquarters and industrial facilities in Cannes (France).

Alcatel Chairman and CEO, Serge Tchuruk; Alcatel Alenia Space President and CEO Pascale Sourisse; and Finmeccanica CEO, Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, welcomed the President and a delegation of French ministers to Alcatel Alenia Space, which became the undisputed European leader in satellite services and solution at its creation less than a year ago.

Jacques Chirac first visited the impressive clean rooms, where satellite systems are manufactured, assembled, and tested. Some of Alcatel Alenia Space’s most prominent experts provided him with an insight into the major programs in the field of science and observation, civil and military telecommunications, and applications. The President was able to see some of the satellites currently under integration.

The French President then went to one of the plant’s integration halls where he spokie to over 1,000 Alcatel employees. He said that he was impressed by the facilities. He congratulated Alcatel Alenia Space on its outstanding achievements, paying a special tribute to employees who represent France’s scientific excellence and innovation spirit. “Space has to be at the heart of Europe’s concerns”, said Jacques Chirac, as “controlling space is both a political and strategic challenge.”

From left to right: Alcatel Chairman and CEO, Serge Tchuruk; Alcatel Alenia Space President and CEO Pascale Sourisse; French Minister of Defense, Michèle Alliot-Marie; French President Jacques Chirac; Finmeccanica CEO, Pier Francesco Guarguaglini