Starion

TLDR

Starion is a Libin-based systems engineering group, spun out of RHEA Group in 2024 and acquired by Sopra Steria in 2026, that builds Deep Tech & Hardware software and services for space missions, defence programs, and critical infrastructure across Europe.

Overview

Starion is headquartered at Rue des Etoiles 140 in Libin, Wallonia, with an additional Belgian office in Diegem and operations in Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The company traces its roots to RHEA Group, founded in the early 1990s, and emerged as an independent entity in April 2024 following a partial demerger of RHEA into two new businesses: Starion, focused on space and systems engineering, and Nexova, focused on Cybersecurity.

The company covers the full satellite lifecycle, from concept design through development, operations, and end-of-life disposal. Its product portfolio includes CDP4-COMET, a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tool with a SysML v2 variant in development, Astral for mission operations, and SAFEPLACE, a crisis-management platform that supports wildfire and flooding response. Service areas span Earth observation, digital engineering, applied AI and machine learning, and quantum-safe communications. Starion is also active in Cybersecurity for space assets, an area treated as critical infrastructure by the European Space Agency and national space agencies.

On 30 April 2026, Sopra Steria announced that it had completed the acquisitions of Starion and Nexova, positioning the combined group as a European leader in space and Cybersecurity. Starion continues to operate from its Libin headquarters under the Sopra Steria umbrella.

Funding History

• Demerged from RHEA Group as an independent entity (April 2024)
• Acquired by Sopra Steria (April 2026), terms undisclosed

Sources

• https://www.stariongroup.eu
• https://www.skywin.be/en/members/starion-group
• https://www.natixispartners.be/en/transaction/starion-nexova-ma-advisory/
• https://fedil.lu/en/members/a7141609-f086-eb11-a812-000d3a22fe50/