Airbus Defence and SpaceType: Multinational Abbreviation: AIRDS Administration: Dirk Hoke (CEO) Founded: 2014 Launchers: Ariane Spacecraft: Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV), Columbus (ISS Science Laboratory), Orion Service Module Country: FRA, GER, GBR, ESP, ITAAirbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus responsible for defence and aerospace products and services. The division was formed in January 2014 during the corporate restructuring of European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS), and comprises the former Airbus Military, Astrium, and Cassidian divisions. It is the world’s second largest space company after Boeing and one of the top ten defence companies in the world.