Independent access to space is an absolute necessity for Europe, both economically and in terms of security policy. In addition to its own European launch vehicles, this also includes launch sites. To be able to offer these in a cost-effective, competitive, and rapid manner in the future, OHB is consolidating the Group’s existing capabilities in the area of launch site infrastructure into a new company: the “European Spaceport Company” will in the future develop and offer launch capabilities from maritime and land-based launch sites. This includes not only infrastructure elements for mobile and fixed launch pads, but also ground segments, mission control centers, test facilities, and various services.
“Europe needs reliable and independent access to space. At OHB, this has been our focus for years. And, of course, that includes launch sites. We are already making a significant contribution to the offshore spaceport concept, and we will continue to expand that in the future,” says Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB SE.
Activities related to the development of launch site infrastructure are nothing new for OHB: through various subsidiaries, the Group has been involved in the establishment and further development of European launch capabilities for more than five decades. For nearly 30 years, MT Aerospace AG has played a key role at the European Spaceport in Kourou in the operation and maintenance of launch facilities as well as the construction of critical infrastructure. In addition, several studies on alternative concepts for suborbital and orbital rocket launches have been conducted in the past.
“A new era has dawned in the space industry, and it calls for more and more creative solutions across the entire value chain. “At OHB, we have expertise in launch sites and infrastructure, and we are closely attuned to market developments—we leverage this to the benefit of our customers,” explains Sabine von der Recke. She leads the new company together with Ulrich Scheib (MT Aerospace AG) and Dr. Arne Gausepohl (OHB Digital).
The new company’s initial goals are to establish a European offshore spaceport and to expand launch capabilities at the spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, by adding a launch complex capable of handling various types of rockets. In the next phase, the company plans to expand its range of launch services to global markets.
The result of the recently successfully completed collaborative project OSLIOS (Offshore Spaceport – Solution Development and Infrastructure Development for Orbital Launches) is a mobile launch platform (Mobile Multi-User Launch Pad, MMULP) that can be flexibly adapted for use with various rocket types. This platform allows the capacity of existing launch sites to be expanded as needed and regardless of the rocket type. This offers the advantage of achieving significantly higher launch rates while utilizing parts of the existing infrastructure, such as ground stations and communication facilities, to save time and costs.
The project was made possible by funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport and close cooperation with the German Aerospace Center.
