The acquisition brings four new operational sites to the Toulouse-based CLS, which has an Earth Observation focus. They will join its existing 31 offices across five continents, employing 1,100 people.
IoT
While both sometimes operate in the same strategic sectors, noted CLS, they address different customer bases and offer interoperable technologies.
“Combining CLS’s space-based IoT services with Ground Control’s robust hardware and cloud platforms makes perfect sense,” said Stéphanie Limouzin, president of the business group, pictured. “This move will allow us to better serve our clients with enhanced proximity, agility, and a broader portfolio of tools adapted to their operational environments.”
For its part, Ground Control emphasised continuity.
“Joining CLS is a natural evolution for Ground Control,” said Alastair McLeod, the company’s CEO. “Together, we offer end-to-end solutions,
hardware, connectivity, platform, support, with stronger global coverage and shared environmental values.”
CLS
Beginning in 1986 as a subsidiary of CNES, the French space agency, and the investment company CNP, it has specialised in space-based monitoring of the Earth.
For example, applications covered by CLS range across herd management and smart agriculture. And from detecting pollution to monitoring of global maritime traffic.
Ground Control Technologies is based in Gloucester, designing and building its own hardware. For example, low power, small form-factor satellite IoT devices and handheld, two-way messaging-enabled trackers.
See also: Space Norway, SSTL partner for high-res maritime monitoring
