OHB Sweden, a subsidiary of the space and technology company OHB SE, has received a major contract from SWISSto12. OHB Sweden will supply six state-of-the-art electric propulsion systems (EP systems) for the innovative HummingSat platform—the world’s first commercial small satellites for geostationary orbit (GEO). HummingSat is a small but powerful geostationary telecommunications satellite developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of its public-private partnership program.
OHB Sweden’s propulsion systems enable precise orbital maneuvers, position-keeping in GEO, repositioning within the geostationary arc, and extended mission durations. In this way, the system supports the SWISSto12 mission to provide agile and cost-effective solutions for the evolving telecommunications markets. With the transition from traditional broadcast services to broadband connectivity, HummingSat’s high performance and lower construction and launch costs are fundamentally transforming the GEO market landscape. Furthermore, this collaboration makes an important contribution to European space sovereignty and strengthens Europe’s leadership and competitiveness in the global space industry.
High level of expertise
“This contract is a milestone for us, as it confirms our expertise in the field of electric propulsion systems and further advances our industrialization efforts,” says Fredrik Sjöberg, Deputy Managing Director of OHB Sweden. “Our goal is to deliver a complete subsystem every two months starting in mid-2026. Our new production facility was designed precisely for projects like this.”
Europe-wide cooperation
“This program represents a Europe-wide collaboration between Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany and strengthens European space and satellite sovereignty,” explains Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12. “HummingSat is the world’s first commercial SmallSat for GEO. Its high performance combined with lower construction and launch costs will transform the GEO market and enable telecommunications providers and governments to deploy new, agile satellite solutions that better connect the world.”
About the Partnership
The contract is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of theHummingSat PartnershipProject, with financial contributions from the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). This agreement underscores the growing importance of European cooperation in space technology and the shared commitment to sustainable, high-performance solutions for global connectivity. OHB Sweden’s advanced EP systems play a crucial role in the success of SWISSto12’s groundbreaking HummingSat program.
About OHB Sweden
OHB Sweden isa provider of complete space missions, satellites, and subsystems for spacecraft. With more than 30 years of successful experience from a wide range of missions in low Earth and geostationary orbits, as well as interplanetary projects, OHB Sweden enjoys a first-class reputation for reliable and innovative solutions. Its core competencies lie in small satellites, AOCS, and propulsion systems.
About SWISSto12
SWISSto12 isa leading manufacturer of advanced satellite RF products, payloads, and systems, including the HummingSat. SWISSto12 operates successfully in Europe and the United States and is one of the fastest-growing aerospace companies worldwide. The company was founded in 2011 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately held, and is backed by prominent Swiss and European investors.