
Safran
SAF.PASafran is a French multinational aerospace company founded in 2005, with a core focus on the development and delivery of technologies within the propulsion and electronics sectors.
- Founded
- 2005
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Stage
- Public
- Ownership
- Listed
- Market cap
- $158.3B-9.2% 30d
- Employees
- 110,000as of 2025
Quick Facts
About Safran
Safran is a French multinational aerospace company founded in 2005, with a core focus on the development and delivery of technologies within the propulsion and electronics sectors. While specific product details are limited based on available information, the company’s categorization suggests involvement in the design, manufacturing, and potentially the maintenance of systems critical to spacecraft and launch vehicle operation. This likely includes rocket engines, thrusters, and associated control systems, as well as the electronic components necessary for their function and integration.
Given its positioning within aerospace, Safran likely leverages advanced materials science, precision engineering, and sophisticated software development in its work. Key capabilities likely encompass areas such as combustion technology, fluid dynamics, and the miniaturization of electronic systems for space applications. The company’s focus on both propulsion and electronics suggests a vertically integrated approach, potentially allowing for optimized system performance and reduced development timelines.
Without further details regarding specific missions or customers, it is difficult to assess Safran’s current market position beyond its established presence within the broader aerospace industry. However, as a multinational company based in France, it is reasonable to assume involvement in European space programs and collaborations, potentially serving agencies like the European Space Agency (ESA) or commercial launch providers.
Safran’s unique value proposition likely lies in its combined expertise in both propulsion and electronics, enabling the development of integrated and optimized space systems. This holistic approach, coupled with its established position in the aerospace sector, positions the company as a key player in the evolving space landscape.
Products and product lines
| Product | Line | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EPS®X00 / PPS®X00 electric propulsion systems | Spacecraft electric propulsion | Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI) was selected by AstroForge in August 2025 to supply two complete electric propulsion systems (thruster, power processing unit and fluid management system) for the Vestri asteroid mission; Safran is also building a new US manufacturing facility in Parker, Colorado with initial deliveries expected in Q4 2026. |
| Ariane 6 / ArianeGroup | Launch vehicle (joint venture) | ArianeGroup, Europe's Ariane 6 prime contractor, is a 50/50 joint venture between Safran and Airbus; Christophe Bruneau, previously an executive at Safran Aircraft Engines, was appointed ArianeGroup's next CEO in January 2026, succeeding Martin Sion from 1 April 2026. |
| Greta engine | Rocket engine (green propellant technology demonstrator) | ArianeGroup's additively-manufactured, 5-kilonewton-class engine burning hydrogen peroxide and ethanol; hot-fire tested at Trauen, Germany through 2025, with a new ESA-funded contract awarded 6 February 2026 to build a full engine demonstrator by the end of 2027. |
| MaiaSpace | Reusable launch vehicle subsidiary | Wholly owned ArianeGroup subsidiary developing the reusable Maia small launcher; despite a €37.5 million loss in 2025, ArianeGroup's shareholder vote decided on 25 June 2026 not to dissolve the company, with an inaugural orbital launch still targeted for late 2027. |
| Themis | Reusable first-stage demonstrator | ArianeGroup's 28-metre reusable booster demonstrator completed a full cryogenic wet dress rehearsal at Esrange Space Centre, Sweden on 23 July 2026, ahead of planned low-altitude hop tests. |
Timeline
- 2025 AstroForge selects Safran Defense & Space (Safran DSI) on 11 August to supply two EPS®X00/PPS®X00 electric propulsion systems for its Vestri asteroid mission. [source]
- 2025 ArianeGroup signs an agreement on 24 October to transfer assembly, integration and testing of the Ariane 6 Vinci upper-stage engine from Vernon, France to a new facility at its German subsidiary in Lampoldshausen. [source]
- 2026 ArianeGroup names Safran Aircraft Engines executive Christophe Bruneau as its next CEO on 20 January, succeeding Martin Sion effective 1 April 2026. [source]
- 2026 ESA awards ArianeGroup a new contract on 6 February to continue development of the Greta green-propellant engine toward a full demonstrator by end-2027. [source]
- 2026 ArianeGroup's shareholder decision on 25 June keeps MaiaSpace operating rather than dissolving it, despite a €37.5 million 2025 loss and negative shareholders' equity. [source]
- 2026 ArianeGroup completes a full wet dress rehearsal of its Themis reusable-booster demonstrator at Esrange, Sweden on 23 July. [source]
Team
- Olivier AndrièsGroup CEO · source
Signals
- Market cap, 90 days
- +7.9%
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-11
Categories & Capabilities
Industry Categories
Stock Performance
SAF.PA · Daily close data
Funding
Location
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Frequently asked about Safran
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Safran founded?
- Safran was founded in 2005 in France.
- Where is Safran headquartered?
- Safran is headquartered in Paris, France.
- What does Safran do?
- Safran is a French multinational aerospace company founded in 2005, with a core focus on the development and delivery of technologies within the propulsion and electronics sectors. While specific product details are limited based on available information, the company’s categorization suggests involvement in the design,…
- Is Safran publicly traded?
- Yes. Safran trades under the ticker SAF.PA on Paris.
- What sector does Safran operate in?
- Safran works in propulsion, Electronics and Aerospace, plus 3 other space-industry sectors.
Sources
The structured fields on this page (founding year, location, sector, status, listing) and the profile text are drawn from the sources below. How profiles are drafted and checked is described in our methodology.
- Official website (www.safran-group.com)
- Market data via Yahoo Finance (SAF.PA) · retrieved 2026-09-14
- Company LinkedIn page
- Wikidata / Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-09-04
- Yahoo Finance: Safran DSI to Supply Electric Propulsion Systems for AstroForge's Vestri Asteroid Mission (11 Aug 2025) · retrieved 2026-09-10
- European Spaceflight: ArianeGroup to Transfer Responsibility for Vinci Assembly to German Subsidiary (27 Oct 2025) · retrieved 2026-09-10
- European Spaceflight: ArianeGroup Appoints Safran's Christophe Bruneau as Next CEO (20 Jan 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-10
- European Spaceflight: ArianeGroup Test Fires Greta Engine and Secures New ESA Contract (25 Feb 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-10
- European Spaceflight: MaiaSpace Losses Required ArianeGroup to Decide on Company's Future (3 Aug 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-10
- European Spaceflight: ArianeGroup Completes Themis Wet Dress Rehearsal (30 Jul 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-10
- Merged duplicate entry safran-aerospace · retrieved 2026-09-11
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Safran is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.
