Telespazio, a joint venture between Finmeccanica (67%) and Thales (33%), is one of the world’s leading players in satellite services. The company, headquartered in Rome, Italy, employs approximately 2500 people. It relies on an international network of space centres and teleports and operates worldwide through many subsidiaries. In particular, it is present: in France with Telespazio France; in Germany with Telespazio VEGA Deutschland, GAF and Spaceopal (a joint venture in which the German space agency DLR holds a 50% interest); in the United Kingdom with Telespazio VEGA United Kingdom; in Spain with Telespazio Iberica; in Hungary with Telespazio Hungary and in Romania with Rartel. Telespazio has consolidated its presence in South America with Telespazio Brasil and Telespazio Argentina. It operates in the US via Telespazio North America. In Italy, the company is also present through e-GEOS (in which the Italian Space Agency holds a 20% interest). Telespazio is a leading company in sectors that are becoming increasingly important for public institutions, business operators and consumers, with activities ranging from the design and development of space systems to the management of launch services and in orbit satellite control; from Earth observation services, integrated communication, satellite navigation and localisation, to scientific programmes.