Parliament Blocks Sale of Strategic Space Company Beyond Gravity

Swiss lawmakers vote to prevent privatization of the country's fourth-largest European space industry player, citing national security interests.

Key Takeaways

The Swiss Senate voted to block the sale of the space company Beyond Gravity.
Beyond Gravity is the fourth-largest player in the European space industry.
The motion to stop the sale was approved by the Senate with a vote of 28 to 15.
Beyond Gravity is a division of the federally owned armaments company RUAG.

By The Numbers

28 to 15

Senate Vote Count

4th

European Market Rank

2020

Year of Corporate Split

They Said

"The sale of this company would be a strategic mistake."
— Majority of Parliament

"The government would be divesting itself of the fourth-largest player in the European space industry, thereby relinquishing a lever of industrial influence in connection with security."
— Parliamentary Consensus

Parliament Slams Brakes on Privatization

A Strategic Titan: Defending the Fourth-Largest Player

The RUAG Legacy: Anatomy of a Split

Sovereignty Over Profit: The New Security Imperative

Sources & References

Swiss parliament prohibits sale of Swiss space company Beyond Gravity

SWI swissinfo.ch