OHB founds European Moonport Company

Oberpfaffenhofen, February 4, 2026 – In the presence of Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Söder, OHB today announced the founding of the European Moonport Company. The new entity, headquartered at OHB’s site in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, will consolidate the company’s activities related to future lunar missions in Bavaria. Europe’s ambition to take a leading role in humanity’s return to the Moon is being supported by the development of a dedicated European lunar infrastructure.

The Moon is increasingly becoming a geopolitically significant target for spacefaring nations such as the United States, China, and India. In light of these developments, it is essential for Europe to formulate and consistently implement its own strategy for a sustainable presence on the lunar surface. At the ESA Council Meeting at Ministerial Level last November, Germany assumed a leadership role within Europe.

“The Moon is the next major step for Europe’s spaceflight efforts. Initiatives like the European Moonport Company show how industrial strength, regional expertise, and a clear European vision can come together,” says Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General. “For ESA, it is essential that Europe develops the capabilities to be permanently, sustainably, and independently present on the Moon – as a reliable and active partner in an international lunar architecture.”

Minister President Dr. Markus Söder emphasizes: "We are space‑minded! This is another step for Bavaria as a Space Valley for Germany and all of Europe. The aerospace sector is booming: In the Free State, we are creating a unique ecosystem for many new jobs, now generating 12 billion euros in revenue and employing 38,000 people. From Bavaria, we are playing a strong passing game with the federal government and ESA. As a federal state, Bavaria will invest over one billion euros in aerospace alone by 2030—from universities and research, to start‑up support, all the way to simplified settlement opportunities for defense and space companies. While others are cutting back, we are investing an extra one billion euros in research and science through our Hightech Agenda Bavaria. And it’s working: Bavaria has now become the number‑one start‑up region, and TUM and LMU are the two best universities in the EU.”

The establishment of infrastructure on the Moon will lay the foundation for a future economic sphere. This requires not only independent access to the Moon but also the development of key technologies for a future lunar infrastructure – including launch and landing pads, energy, oxygen and propellant supply systems, as well as navigation and communication capabilities.

Together with Munich Airport International, OHB has developed an initial concept for a central launch and landing facility on the lunar surface, which was presented at today’s event. A Moonport, serving as a reliable hub for logistics flights and crewed spacecraft, is a key enabler for the emergence of a lunar economic ecosystem.

“With the founding of the European Moonport Company, we are supporting Europe’s ambition to establish a long-term presence on the Moon under its own power and to create the foundation for future scientific missions and economic activities,” says Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB SE. “For us as a company, the Moon has always been a fascinating destination. This long-standing enthusiasm is now becoming tangible: We aim not only to accompany Europe’s journey to the Moon, but to actively help shape it.”

As a space company with decades of experience in conducting studies and projects related to space exploration – and with a broad network of industrial and academic partners – OHB is excellently positioned to play a leading role in shaping the vision of a permanent European infrastructure on the lunar surface.