OHB-System AG, a subsidiary of the European aerospace group OHB Technology AG (Prime Standard, ISIN: DE0005936124) won the selection as one of two candidates in a tender for the construction of 28 satellites for the European Galileo navigation system by the European Space Agency ESA. The OHB team thus won the first important round of the elimination process, beating three other contenders.
Prof. Manfred Fuchs, CEO of OHB-System AG, said today: “I’m really delighted with this decision. It’s the outcome of our success story over recent years. The SAR-Lupe and ORBCOMM projects allowed us to demonstrate our capabilities in the construction of satellite constellations. We are now reaping the benefits of this experience in an important program like Galileo.”
The EU Transport Council had decided in December 2007 to implement the Galileo navigation system to be developed within the scope of improved procedural rules and a balanced business plan that would strengthen competition and facilitate what is known as dual sourcing.
The dual-sourcing scheme provides for the admission of two bidders for each of the five tender packages “System support”, “Ground mission”, “Ground control”, “Satellites”, “Start services” and “Operations”. Only one candidate is being admitted for the “Start services” segment. OHB will be bidding for the “Satellites” segment. The other bidder will be Astrium GmbH.
OHB-System AG has signed a cooperation agreement with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL). OHB will act as general contractor and supply the satellite platforms, and SSTL will supply the payloads for the satellites. The tender for the European navigation system Galileo is advertised and coordinated by the European Commission. ESA acts as the principal and is responsible for technical implementation of the system.
Contact for media representatives:
Steffen Leuthold
Corporate Communications
Tel: +49 421 – 2020-620
fax: +49 421 – 2020-700
mail: leuthold@ohb-system.de Contact for investors and analysts:
Michael Ver
Investor Relations
Tel: +49 421 – 2020-727
fax: +49 421 – 2020-613
mail: ver@ohb-technology.de
