On 18 October 2016, Thales UK opened its Electric Propulsion Integration Centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the first of its kind in the UK. It will expand Europe’s all-electric satellite capability as part of ESA’s Neosat programme.
ESA astronaut Tim Peake cut the ribbon at the inauguration event in during his postflight tour of the UK.
Pictured (left to right): Magali Vaissiere, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, Rt Hon. Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Philip McBride, General Manager at Thales Belfast, ESA astronaut Tim Peake, Minister Simon Hamilton, Minister for the Economy, Northern Ireland.