OHB

Space hardware manufacturers urge realistic expectations for 3D printing
Space hardware builders say they fully expect 3D printing to revolutionize manufacturing, but cautioned that the technology is sometimes promoted without a full understanding of its pros and cons.

OHB defends self-funded launcher effort
OHB hopes to have a small launcher capable of sending 200 kilograms to low Earth orbit conduct a first flight by the end of 2021.

European spaceport boom could benefit industry
Sweden, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Portugal and Norway all have spaceport ideas being discussed, OHB CEO Marco Fuchs said Nov. 19 at Space Tech Expo Europe here.

NBN gets praise for Sky Muster data plans • OHB revenues on the rise • U.S. pay-TV subs in decline
Australian farmers are celebrating the start of less restrictive satellite internet from the country’s twin Sky Muster broadband satellites.

Satellites for Intelsat, European lasercomm launch on Arianespace rocket
The Ariane 5 took off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern from Europe’s Guiana Space Center in South America, carrying the Intelsat-39 communications satellite and the EDRS-C laser relay satellite to geostationary transfer orbits.

Prototype Ariane 6 carbon-composite upper stage gets ESA funding
The European Space Agency gave contracts to ArianeGroup and MT Aerospace on May 14 to develop a prototype upper stage that could lead to an advanced carbon-composite upgrade for the Ariane 6 rocket.

IAI to partner with OHB on lunar delivery services
The Israeli company that built a privately funded lunar lander scheduled for launch next month is partnering with a German firm to offer similar landers for future European Space Agency missions.

OHB System to sign PLATO construction contract in June
German satellite manufacturer OHB System expects to finalize a contract in June with the European Space Agency to build a spacecraft to search for exoplanets.

Germany picks Ariane 5 for Heinrich Hertz launch
German satellite builder OHB Systems has secured a slot for the experimental Heinrich Hertz communications satellite on what could be one of the last Ariane 5 missions before Ariane 6 is expected to take over.

Humble origins drives OHB support for Europe’s space startup scene
Today’s OHB might be Europe’s third-largest space sector corporation, harvesting prestigious government contracts, but the Bremen-headquartered firm still remembers its modest beginnings.

Germany’s long-awaited Heinrich Hertz satellite now expected to launch in 2021
Germany’s space agency, DLR, signed a delayed but long-expected contract with Bremen-based satellite manufacturer OHB Systems for an experimental telecommunications satellite that will be used in part by the Bundeswehr, Germany’s Federal Armed Forces.

OHB narrowly misses 2016 revenue goals, holds bar higher for 2017
German satellite manufacturer OHB Systems just barely missed its 2016 revenue goal despite supply chain issues that slowed key programs.

Luxembourgian minister unwilling to let ESA asteroid mission die without a fight
A Luxembourgian politician wants to breathe new life into the European Space Agency’s cancelled Asteroid Impact Mission (AIM) despite the program not garnering enough financial support to move forward.

European Soyuz launches SmallGEO satellite for Hispasat
European launch provider Arianespace completed its first launch of the year Jan. 27, orbiting the first SmallGEO satellite for Spanish satellite operator Hispasat.

OHB aims to cut SmallGEO production time to three years
Spacecraft builder OHB System AG says it is taking steps to rein in the production time for its SmallGEO line of satellites to around three years instead of the seven years or longer the first batches have taken.