26/05/2021 (Agence Europe) – The President of the General Court of the European Union has rejected the application for interim measures by the German company OHB System to suspend the award by the European Space Agency, acting on behalf of the European Commission, of a contract worth almost €1.5 billion to Thales Alenia and Airbus for the supply of next generation of satellites for the Galileo system. It is true that OHB’s claim is not entirely without serious foundation as the German company claims that its competitor Airbus hired one of its managers who was involved in a decisive role in the preparation of its bid. Nevertheless, according to the President of the General Court, the balance of interests favours refusing the requested suspension, given the magnitude of the technical and financial consequences that a suspension would have on the EU’s space programme. (MB)