Engineering and technology group Sener and space systems developer Thales Alenia Space have signed an agreement to execute a joint business plan that will develop the Spanish space industry with the manufacture of optical payloads. The strategic agreement, signed by Thales Alena Space’s CEO Eduardo Bellido, Thales Alenia Space France’s Vice President for Science and Earth Observation Hervé Hamy and Sener Space and Defense Director Diego Rodríguez, aims to develop the necessary capacities to lead the optical observation instruments sector in Spain, endorsing the pre-agreement signed in March by both companies. The alliance was created with the intent of developing a national leader in Spain and a European reference in optical observation instruments, using the companies’ experience in multiple scientific and Earth observation programs. Sener is an engineering and technology group for the engineering, aeronautics and energy industries. Thales Alenia Space Spain is a designer, developer and marketer of advanced space systems and equipment.