Airbus Reforms & SpaceX Expansions: A New Era in Space Systems

Airbus is restructuring its Space Systems amid consolidation talks with key European players. Simultaneously, SpaceX is negotiating with U.S. and Australian officials to land and recover its Starship rocket off Australia's coast, aiming to expand its presence in the region.

Airbus is set to overhaul its struggling Space Systems business, initiating a turnaround plan without waiting for ongoing European consolidation talks with Italy's Leonardo and France's Thales. Industry sources reveal that Airbus plans to complete a strategy review by the fourth quarter, contending with recent charges of 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion).

In a separate development, SpaceX is negotiating with U.S. and Australian officials to land and recover one of its Starship rockets off the Australian coast. Sources familiar with the plans indicate that this move could mark the beginning of a more significant presence for Elon Musk's company in the region, especially as security ties between the two countries strengthen. SpaceX has been eager to expand its testing campaign since a Starship rocket made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean in June.

Successful landings and recovery of the Starship boosters are crucial for accelerating the development of the massive reusable rocket, designed to launch satellites into orbit and land astronauts on the moon.

(With inputs from agencies.)