Astrium S.A.S. Astrium, Ltd. v. Trw, Inc. Pilkington Optronics, Inc. Corning Netoptix Ofc Corporation Optical Filter Corporation, Astrium S.A.S. v. Trw, Inc. v. Pilkington Optronics, Inc., Third-Party-Plaintiff-Appellant v. Fokker Space B v. Dutch Space Holding B v. Fokker Space & Systems B v. Third-Party-Defendants-Appellees. Astrium S.A.S. v. Trw, Inc. v. Corning Netoptix Optical Filter Corporation, Third-Party-Plaintiffs-Appellants v. Fokker Space B v. Dutch Space Holding B v. Fokker Space & Systems B v. Third-Party-Defendants-Appellees. Astrium S.A.S. v. Trw, Inc. v. Corning Netoptix Optical Filter Corporation Pilkington Optronics, Inc., Third-Party-Plaintiffs-Appellees v. Fokker Space B v. Dutch Space Holding B v. Third-Party-Defendants-Appellants

Citation: 455 F.3d 1092Docket: 03-55499

Court: Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; August 9, 2006; Federal Appellate Court

Combined Opinion AnalysisCombined Opinion SummaryCombined Opinion Original

Narrative Opinion Summary

This case involves an appeal by Astrium, S.A.S. and Astrium, Ltd. (collectively Astrium) against several subcontractors concerning the failure of solar arrays on telecommunications satellites, resulting in tort claims. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the subcontractors, dismissing Astrium's claims. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld this decision but noted that the district court's reasoning partly relied on a California Court of Appeal ruling in Robinson Helicopter Co. Inc. v. Dana Corp., which had been vacated by the California Supreme Court. Consequently, the Ninth Circuit vacated that specific reasoning from the district court's order. The appeal included multiple parties, with subcontractors such as TRW, Inc., Pilkington Optronics, Inc., and others as defendants, and Fokker Space B.V. and Dutch Space Holding B.V. as third-party defendants. The case was argued on July 24, 2006, and the decision was filed on August 9, 2006, ultimately affirming the dismissal of tort claims while addressing the altered legal foundation used by the lower court.

Legal Issues Addressed

Application of Robinson Helicopter Co. Inc. v. Dana Corp.subscribe to see similar legal issues

Application: The district court's reasoning relied on a California Court of Appeal ruling that was subsequently vacated by the California Supreme Court, leading to the Ninth Circuit vacating part of the district court's reasoning.

Reasoning: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court's decision in a memorandum disposition but noted that the reasoning in the district court's order was based on a California Court of Appeal ruling from Robinson Helicopter Co. Inc. v. Dana Corp., which had since been vacated by the California Supreme Court.

Summary Judgment in Tort Claimssubscribe to see similar legal issues

Application: The district court granted summary judgment dismissing tort claims against subcontractors related to satellite equipment failure, which was upheld by the Ninth Circuit albeit with a modification in reasoning.

Reasoning: Astrium, S.A.S. and Astrium, Ltd. (collectively referred to as Astrium) appealed the district court's summary judgment that dismissed their tort claims against several subcontractors related to the failure of solar arrays powering telecommunications satellites.