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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 4/97 DASA SPACE: CIVIL APPLICATIONS A PRIORITY by Wolfdietrich Hoeveler Effective April 1, 1997, Werner Heinzmann will no longer be responsible for Dasa's Space business but, will restructure the Defence business and will also remain Managing Director of the Dornier GmbH. In an exclusive interview with FLUG REVUE, he commented on Dasa's space activities, the commercialization of which was initialized years ago: "The entrepreneurial priority of restructuring towards commercial applications was a main focus of our strategy in the past four to five years. Political decisions have significantly changed the program scale of Europe's space activities." Dasa has adapted its space business through rationalization to the global competition and, by developing new commercial activities, has opened growth markets for the future. According to Heinzmann, the telecommunicaton business had played a decisive role. While only one satellite per year was built with the French partner Aérospatiale six years ago, this number has meanwhile increased to six satellites per year. He continues, saying that Dasa, together with Aérospatiale as well as alone, has developed new markets especially for the operation of entire telecommunication systems: "Nahuel is a good example for our success. With this system, we, as the main contractor, deliver a complete system for South America, including the operational elements. Two years ago, we founded the joint subsidiary EurasSpace together with CASC (China Aerospace Corp.) as equal partner. This improves our chances in the telecommunication business significantly, which is especially true for the growth market China." Heinzmann points out that, by participating in the American Globalstar program, orders amounting to approximately $250 million were acquired by the company. Using Dasa's know-how for earth surveillance is also part of the extended company objective. Heinzmann: "There is more to it than just selling data. The goal is to offer complete problem solutions, such as the contract for the water management in the Gulf region. However, unlike the telecommunication business, we have to start at zero since the market is just beginning to develop. In the telecommunication market, existing telephone, TV or radio networks were improved or expanded by using new technological means." Furthermore, Heinzmann sees a variety of chances in the space based satellite navigation, highlighting that Dasa is already working together with Rockwell Collins in the area of ground and airborne flight guidance systems. Now, Dasa is offering a complete solution for the space segment which matches the European Union's idea of a commercial and entirely civil system. Heinzmann also sees potential for a further commercialization of the space activities: "First, we must succeed with Ariane 5, and thereafter we will need an alternative in a category below Ariane. The Eurockot project, in which Dasa is willing to invest 60 million dollars, is a solution from our company. Furthermore, we can offer transport services for the supply of the international space station, which is similar to the commercialization of the Shuttle operation of the USA. We can also take over the responsibility for inspection and overhaul works, everything in only a few years." Concerning the satellite business, Heinzmann is warning of the superior weight of the American companies: "While huge companies have developed in the USA, Europe is still fragmented. Dedicated industrial politics supports civil usable military products in the so called dual-use market. The new American generation of military communication satellites, a program that is governmentally supported with approximately twelve billion dollars, will be on the market in only a few years from now. Where are the concrete program decisions and the German technology and industry politics? If we continue as in the Helios and Horus programs, we will see our hopes dashed in spite of the German Chancellor's positive vote. Our continent will only be able to stand the global competition if we can reach a joint definition of long-term industry political goals, as well as, through active dual-use politics and an intensification of the European unification process. These goals must be accomplished by both, industry and politics. We are open for the dialogue, and we are already involved in it." From page 39 of FLUG REVUE 4/97 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 4/97 Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated March 7, 1997