[Satellite Today 10-31-08] Thales Alenia Space reported a 7 percent decrease in orders in the 2008 third quarter, Thales announced Oct. 31.
    Revenues from space activities increased 12 percent during the quarter, which closed at the end of September. Overall, Thales’ aerospace and space sector reported revenues of 839 million euros ($1 billion), up from revenues of 776 million euros ($985 million) in the 2007 third quarter.
    While order did slip in the third quarter, strong growth in orders in the first part of the year means the satellite manufacturer is still on course for a strong year. In the first nine months of 2008, Thales Alenia Space’s orders increased 17 percent, with strong growth in new civil orders from both commercial customers (Rascomstar and Sinosat) and institutional customers (Alphasat and Galileo) offsetting a decline in military satellite orders.