Believed to be one of the largest monetary rewards in history for any British University was the April announcement of EADS Astrium deciding to purchase Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). This is now a fait accompli as the final blessing for this acquisition has been given by the European Commission. The final step for this union was the assurance of the antitrust regulators of the European Union to the blending of the former University of Surrey property with Astrium for an 80 percent stake. In April, Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, the Executive Chairman of SSTL, offered his thought on the purchase, "SSTL operates in a highly competitive global market. If we are to continue changing the economics of space and provide the innovative solutions our customers demand we must expand and maintain our R&D investment. This acquisition strengthens SSTL enormously whilst preserving our unique approach to space." The actual financial considerations have not been revealed as of this writing.



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