In the presence of Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder, OHB announced today the founding of the European Moonport Company. The new company, headquartered at OHB’s site in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, will serve as a hub for the company’s activities related to future lunar missions in Bavaria. Europe’s goal of playing a pioneering role in humanity’s return to the Moon is supported by the development of a European lunar infrastructure.
The Moon is increasingly becoming a geopolitically significant target for spacefaring nations such as the U.S., 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 Moon. At the ESA Ministerial Council meeting last November, Germany assumed the leadership role in Europe.
“The Moon is the next big step for European space exploration. Initiatives such as the European Moonport Company demonstrate how industrial strength, regional expertise, and a clear European vision can come together,” says Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General. “For ESA, it is crucial that Europe builds the capabilities to maintain a permanent, sustainable, and independent presence on the Moon—as a reliable and active partner in an international lunar architecture.”
Prime Minister Dr. Markus Söder emphasizes: “We are space-minded! This is another step forward for Bavaria as a ‘Space Valley’ for Germany and all of Europe. The aerospace industry is booming: We are creating a unique ecosystem in the Free State that generates 12 billion euros in revenue and employs 38,000 people. From Bavaria, we’re working in tandem with the federal government and the ESA. As a state, Bavaria will invest over one billion euros in aerospace alone by 2030—from universities and research to startup funding and simplified relocation processes for defense and aerospace companies. While others are cutting back, we are investing an extra billion euros in research and science as part of our Bavarian High-Tech Agenda. It’s working: Bavaria is now the number one startup hub, and TUM and LMU are the two best universities in the EU.”
Building infrastructure on the Moon sets the course for an emerging economic zone. The foundation for this is not only independent access to the Moon, but also the development of key technologies for a future lunar infrastructure. These include launch and landing sites, energy, oxygen, and fuel supply, as well as navigation and communication.
Together with Munich Airport International, OHB has developed an initial concept for a central launch and landing base on the lunar surface, which was presented at today’s event. Such a “Moonport,” serving as a safe hub for logistics flights and crewed spacecraft, is a crucial pillar for the development of an economic ecosystem on the Moon.
“With the founding of the European Moonport Company, we are supporting Europe’s ambition to establish a permanent presence on the Moon through its own efforts, thereby laying 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 an exciting destination. This long-standing fascination is now set to bear fruit: We want not only to accompany Europe’s journey to the Moon, but also to actively help shape it.”
As a space company with decades of experience in conducting studies and projects for space exploration and a wide-ranging network of industrial and academic partners, OHB is ideally positioned to take the lead in shaping the vision of a permanent European infrastructure on the lunar surface.
