[Satellite TODAY 02-22-10] Thales Alenia Space recorded a sharp increase in sales in 2009 with order intake reaching 1.6 billion euros ($2.17 billion), an increase of 17 percent compared to 2008, the company announced in its 2009 year-end financial report, released Feb. 18.
    Despite the order boost, Thales Alenia Space’s year-end revenues fell 2 percent to 1.43 billion euros ($1.94 billion) due to the impact of an earthquake that struck its L’Aquila, Italy, facilities in April.
    The company said the earthquake delayed billing cycles, the Globalstar program and its services activities with Telespazio.