After spending €2.5 billion on the plant, Airbus Defence and Space has formally started operations at its new spacecraft propulsion production plant in Lampoldshausen, Germany, which is located within the facilities of the DLR (German Aerospace Centre). The propulsion systems built at the plant will range from Apogee Kick Motors (AKM), to small satellite thrusters.
Meanwhile, after not really participating fully with the commercial space market for several years, Lockheed Martin has opened the its new Commercial Space headquarters in Denver, Colorado. In doing so it effectively transfers its main space commercial base from Newtown, Pennsylvania. The company is keen on gaining a new foothold in the commercial market with its modernised A2100 satellite series.