The “planet-hunting” mission PLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) of the European Space Agency (ESA) is a space-based observatory to find and study extrasolar planetary systems with emphasis on the properties of terrestrial planets in the habitable zone around solar-like stars. It is scheduled to launch in 2026. Mid-January RUAG Space, a leading supplier to the space industry, and OHB, Germany’s first listed space and technology company, signed the contract for the Sunshield Solar Array Subsystem. The contract is worth more than 20 million Swiss Francs. RUAG Space will provide mechanisms, structures (panels) as well as thermal insulation, a transport container and other ground support equipment. A solar array consists of several solar panels that generate electricity for the satellite. The solar array also shields the 26 cameras and electronic units of the PLATO observatory from the sunlight.
Complete subsystem from a single source
“Our customer receives a complete subsystem from us from a single source. By this, our customer saves a lot of time and efforts. Our goal is to simplify our customers’ supply chain and make their lives easier,” says Oliver Schiewe, Senior Vice President Spacecraft at RUAG Space. “For RUAG Space providing subsystems is an important strategic step to deliver added value for a strongly changing space market.” The customer also profits from a reduction of interfaces, adds Oliver Kunz, General Manager Mechanisms at RUAG Space. The delivery of the hardware to OHB in Bremen, Germany, is scheduled for summer 2024. “We selected RUAG Space for this subsystem since they have best competences in design and development of highly complex mechanical, thermal and mechanism solutions. In addition, we are well acquainted with RUAG’s cooperative approach and fully confident to establish an effective working relationship for the success of our PLATO project,” says Wolfgang Paetsch, Board Member of OHB System AG.
About RUAG Space: Leading supplier to the space industry
RUAG Space is the leading supplier to the space industry in Europe and has a growing presence in the United States. In total, RUAG Space has about 1,300 employees across six countries. RUAG Space develops and manufactures products for satellites and launch vehicles—playing a key role both in the institutional and commercial space market.
About RUAG International
RUAG International is a Swiss technology group focusing on the aerospace industry. Based in Zurich (Switzerland) and with production sites in 14 countries, the company is divided into four areas: Space, Aerostructures, MRO International and Ammotec. With its strategic focus on aerospace, the company will consist of segments, Aerostructures and Space, in the medium term. RUAG Space is Europe’s leading supplier of products used in the aerospace industry. RUAG Aerostructures is a global first-tier supplier in aircraft structure construction. RUAG International employs around 6,000 people.
About OHB
OHB System AG is one of the three leading space companies in Europe. It belongs to listed high-tech group OHB SE (ISIN: DE0005936124, Prime Standard), where approx. 3,000 specialists and system engineers work on key European space programs. With two strong sites in Bremen and Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich and four decades of experience, OHB System AG specializes in high-tech solutions for space. These include small and mid-sized satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunication, science and space exploration as well as systems for human space flight.
