Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed an agreement with NIBE Space, a subsidiary of NIBE Limited, to supply a high-resolution optical satellite for NIBE’s Earth Observation constellation project. This marks the first phase in establishing India’s first private Earth observation capabilities, with operations expected to begin by 2025. The contract underscores the ongoing collaboration, which started in 2024, between Thales Alenia Space and NIBE, aimed at deploying India’s first private Earth observation constellation.
The contract was formalized today in Pune, in the presence of Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis. Additionally, BlackSky has signed a service agreement to provide subscription-based imagery and analytics, supporting NIBE’s space monitoring services for Indian clients.
Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, remarked, “We are delighted to contribute to India’s sovereign Earth observation capabilities. Supporting the development of India’s first private constellation is a significant milestone for us, as it marks our first collaboration on an Indian space program. We thank NIBE for their trust and look forward to leveraging our expertise in optical and radar sensors to further India’s space ambitions.”
Ganesh Nibe, Chairman & Managing Director of NIBE Limited, added, “We are proud to advance our partnership with Thales Alenia Space with the signing of this contract for a high-resolution satellite. This is an important step in our national efforts to enhance India’s space technology leadership, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. With Thales Alenia Space’s global expertise, we aim to elevate India’s space capabilities to new heights.”
NIBE Limited, founded in 2021 and led by Mr. Ganesh Ramesh Nibe, is recognized for manufacturing critical components for the defense sector, including structures for various military systems, small arms, and space projects. NIBE is dedicated to contributing to India’s self-reliance in defense and space technologies.
Thales Alenia Space, with over 40 years of experience, delivers solutions across telecommunications, Earth observation, environmental management, and space exploration. The company works with both governments and private entities to design satellite systems that provide critical connectivity, resource management, and planetary exploration.
