Strengthening Europe's space sector

Bremen, 19 March 2025 – Space and technology group OHB has announced the founding of a new subsidiary in the United Kingdom. This development represents a significant milestone for the company and a strong statement of its ambitious vision to actively shape the future of space technology and strengthen Europe’s space sector.

“I am truly glad that we have finally established a presence in one of Europe's key space markets. The Bristol region, with its high-tech cluster, provides a great environment for OHB to develop innovative and competitive space products and systems from the UK for the national and European markets.”, says OHB CEO Marco Fuchs.

Cooperation partners in the European ESA space environment

UK industries are strong cooperation partners in the European ESA space environment. The aim is to intensify these industrial collaborations in the future.

As NATO members, Germany and the UK are also close partners and important players in European defensce. Close cooperation in security-related space programs will strengthen Europe's sovereignty, resilience, and technological superiority in space.

The new company in Bristol will host and develop critical knowledge in all relevant space domains with the aim to also offer system level responsibility.

Dynamic and innovation-driven environment

The new company activities complement and enlarge existing partnerships and collaborations like the good co-operation of SaxaVord and the Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA). The managing director Oliver Salisch is certain that the UK offers an incredibly dynamic and innovation-driven environment, perfectly aligned with the pursuit of excellence and groundbreaking solutions OHB is known for.

Sarah Jones, Minister of Industry of the United Kingdom said today in Farnborough: “I am pleased to make the official announcement that OHB SE has established an UK operation in Bristol which has become operational in February. It is a great indicator of the opportunity that a company such as OHB sees in the UK space sector. OHB plans to grow the company quickly in order to develop system capabilities in major space domains and I look forward to hearing more news about this development later today and over the coming months.”

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is delighted to welcome OHB SE to the region. This investment was secured through collaboration with Invest Bristol & Bath, working alongside Space West, the UKSA, and the Department for Business and Trade. Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, says: “Today’s announcement means more high- skilled jobs for local people – and that’s fantastic news. OHB SE setting up shop in the West of England is a big win for our region and a real rocket boost for our space industry. I’m really proud that they’ve chosen the Bristol & Bath Science Park as their UK base. We’re proving once again that this is the place to be for world-class innovation, job creation, and serious economic growth.”