Astrium and Thomson-CSF Sextant disclosed plans for a partnership offering aircraft manufacturers and airline operators a complete line of satellite-based communications services.

Three types of service are planned-passenger interactive media applications (laptop computers, video, e-commerce, e-mail, games, Internet-surfing and voice communications); cockpit and crew (weather data, schedules, e-mail); and enhanced aircraft maintenance and data services aimed at improving aircraft turn-round cycles.

The partners say their telecommunications technologies and multimedia services will extend home and office environments to aircraft, giving access to e-mail, news and information in real-time, requiring satellite telecommunications at world-wide level with broadband capability for onboard interactive multimedia applications.

Astrium and Thomson-CSF Sextant will be in charge of system integration procurement and the operation of services. Astrium will provide end-to-end service from design and manufacturing of satellites to global network infrastructures and services operations. Thomson-CSF Sextant's strengths are in onboard avionics, system network solutions and overall program management for servers, networks and inflight entertainment and entertainment systems.

Lagardere Media will add to the partnership its expertise in providing content, thanks to its background in interactive television, Internet portals, e-commerce and radio broadcasting.