What Digos does

DiGOS Potsdam GmbH is a specialised equipment manufacturer and system integrator founded in 2014 as a spin-off of the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, headquartered in Potsdam, Germany, with 11-50 employees. The company designs, develops, and delivers turn-key geodetic and geophysical observation systems sold to space agencies, government research bodies, and universities in more than 50 countries. Its portfolio is organised into three product families: Laser Ranging Systems (Satellite Laser Ranging stations, SDLR units, and Optical Ground Stations), Seismic Equipment (DATA-CUBE³, NUBE, CCUBE, and CUBE+ broadband seismometers and digitizers), and the Phosaris fibre-optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) line. All products are unified by SCOPE, the company's proprietary command-and-control software that has been continuously refined since 2012 and that supports operation, data acquisition, and orbit determination workflows.

The business model is capital-equipment sale of integrated observatories via institutional procurement — primarily B2G/B2B tenders and framework contracts with organisations such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, e-GEOS, and the Space Research Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IWF Graz). Sales cycles are long, projects are multi-quarter, and revenue is inherently lumpy, tied to intergovernmental tender cadence. Pricing is project-based rather than subscription-based, and there is no recurring revenue line on the evidence available. The combination of high contract values, low deal count, and tender dependence results in significant revenue lumpiness.

The competitive position is reinforced by GFZ heritage, ESA programme participation, a multi-decade software codebase in SCOPE, and reference deployments at flagship sites (Izaña, Yebes, UniBw Munich, TU Berlin). Recent strategic activity, including Optical Ground Stations, the award-winning Phosaris DAS product, and a 2026 push into India via the Brandenburg-Uttarakhand cooperation, suggests management is diversifying beyond the historical core of European SLR station programmes into optical communications ground infrastructure and fibre-optic infrastructure monitoring.

Name

Digos

Legal name

DiGOS Potsdam GmbH

Website

https://digos.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DiGOS Potsdam GmbH is a Potsdam-based system integrator and spin-off of GFZ that builds turn-key satellite laser ranging stations, optical ground stations, seismic equipment, and fibre-optic sensing systems for space agencies, research institutions, and infrastructure operators in 50+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geodetic & Geophysical Observation Systems

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Satellite Telecommunications (51741), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC), Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM), LiDAR & 3D Sensing Modules (HDAHALAG)

Keywords

• Satellite laser ranging
• Optical ground stations
• Seismic data acquisition
• Fiber optic sensing
• Space debris tracking

Headquarters

HQ city

Potsdam

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Laser Ranging Stations: Turnkey Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Space Debris Laser Ranging (SDLR) stations including design, implementation, and long-term support. Systems based on COTS components operated with proprietary SCOPE software.
2. Seismic Equipment: Seismic data recorders (DATA-CUBE³, NUBE), complete systems (CUBE+), and add-on components (CCUBE, breakout boxes, geophones) for research and monitoring applications.
3. SCOPE Software: Command and control software for laser ranging systems, available as integrated package for specific systems or tailored solutions for customer requirements.
4. Engineering and Consulting: Custom technical solutions, consulting services, staff training, and maintenance/repair of existing systems. Includes system integration with in-house software and hardware developments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

DiGOS Potsdam GmbH designs, manufactures, and integrates turnkey Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) stations and Optical Ground Stations for satellite tracking and space-debris monitoring, together with seismic data-acquisition systems (DATA-CUBE³, CUBE+, NUBE, CCUBE) and the Phosaris fiber-optic sensing solution. Its proprietary SCOPE software unifies hardware and software across these systems, which the company delivers to space agencies, research institutions, and infrastructure operators worldwide.

Product overview

DiGOS is a system integrator offering turn-key solutions for satellite and space debris laser ranging, optical ground stations, and seismic monitoring. The product portfolio centers on two main domains: Laser Ranging Systems (comprising Satellite Laser Ranging stations, Space Debris Laser Ranging, Optical Ground Stations for laser communications, and the proprietary SCOPE command & control software) and Seismic Equipment (including DATA-CUBE³ data recorders, NUBE seismic logger, CCUBE streaming add-on, CUBE+ complete field systems, geophones, and breakout boxes). DiGOS also offers the Phosaris fiber-optic sensing technology for infrastructure monitoring. The company provides complete system integration from design through implementation, upgrade services, consulting, and operational support, with systems deployed in over 50 countries worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Phosaris: Fiber-optic sensing technology for infrastructure monitoring
• SCOPE
• DATA-CUBE³
• NUBE
• CCUBE
• CUBE+

Products and services

• Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) Stations
• Optical Ground Stations (OGS)
• SCOPE Software Proprietary command-and-control software platform that operates DiGOS SLR stations, Optical Ground Stations, and seismic acquisition systems, providing a unified user interface and configuration layer for the company's product lines.
• Range Gate Generator (RG2) DiGOS in-house designed Range Gate Generator used in satellite laser ranging setups to define the temporal ranging gate for SLR measurements.
• DATA-CUBE³ Seismic Recorder DiGOS-designed 3-channel seismic data recorder used as the core data-acquisition unit for CUBE-based seismic systems; combines with NUBE and CCUBE to form the full CUBE family.
• NUBE Seismic Data Logger Seismic data logger in the CUBE family that complements the DATA-CUBE³ recorder to deliver a complete seismic acquisition chain.
• CCUBE Streaming Add-on Streaming add-on for the CUBE seismic acquisition family that enables continuous data streaming capabilities.
• CUBE+ Complete Seismic System Complete seismic measurement system that bundles the DATA-CUBE³ recorder, NUBE logger, and CCUBE streaming into a ready-to-deploy configuration.
• Phosaris Fiber-Optic Sensing Fiber-optic sensing solution based on Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) for geophysical and infrastructure monitoring applications.
• Geophone Seismic sensor offered by DiGOS as part of its seismic measurement portfolio.
• Breakout Box (BOB) Breakout box accessory used within DiGOS seismic acquisition systems for signal routing and connection management.
• Safety System Safety-system component offered alongside DiGOS seismic measurement systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fiber-optic cables transformed into kilometer-scale sensor systems detecting even the smallest changes in infrastructure in real time
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Brandenburg-Uttarakhand CooperationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026New cooperation agreement between Brandenburg and Uttarakhand. Indian delegation visited DiGOS at Potsdam Science Park as part of this framework. Live demonstrations of Laser Ranging Stations and Phosaris fiber optic sensing presented.
• University of the Bundeswehr MunichcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2025Delivered Optical Communication Station ground base station for SeRANIS mission. Station forms heart of optical ground communication enabling high-precision data transmission between Earth and satellite at speed of light.
• ESA (European Space Agency)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Major partner for satellite laser ranging station development. Developed ESA Laser Ranging Station (ELRS) Izaña-1 on Tenerife and delivered Izaña-2 station. ESA also awarded DiGOS the Rising Stars recognition. Ongoing technology and development program participation.
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Won international tender to develop and install new Laser Ranging Station for JAXA based on ESA ELRS design. Station installed at Tsukuba Space Center for Japanese satellite navigation and orbit determination.
• e-GEOSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on Matera Software Upgrade project within MLRO (Matera Laser Ranging Observatory) project for Italian Space Agency (ASI). DiGOS supported replacing system components with COTS products and updating station software.
• IWF GrazminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on multi-static space debris tracking. IWF Graz SLR system illuminated debris targets with laser while DiGOS Potsdam station measured reflected photons, demonstrating multi-static tracking capabilities.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreTechnology or IntegrationDLR selected DiGOS to install Optical Ground Stations in Munich and Trauen. Also collaborated on multi-static debris tracking demonstration and miniSLR development. Partner in DLR Space Innovation Hub.
• DLR Space Innovation HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiGOS participated in Resilience of Space Systems workshop, presenting compact mobile laser ranging station for crisis-proof space systems. Contributing to discussions on resilience as joint effort among government, research, and industry.
• GFZ (Geoforschungszentrum) PotsdamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiGOS is a spin-off from GFZ. Located at short distance from GFZ campus. Ongoing collaboration including Potsdam SLR station and hosting visits/delegations at GFZ facilities. Indian delegation visit in context of Brandenburg-Uttarakhand cooperation at GFZ.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Güralp Systems: UK-based designer and manufacturer of broadband seismometers, digitisers, and seismic monitoring systems. Direct peer in the geophysical observation / seismic product segment.
• Nanometrics: Canadian manufacturer of broadband seismometers and seismic data acquisition systems. Direct peer in the seismic instrumentation product line (DATA-CUBE³ is explicitly compatible with Nanometrics sensors).
• Teledyne Optech: Canadian LiDAR and laser-based sensing specialist with active application in airborne, mobile, and terrestrial laser scanning. Closely comparable in laser ranging and 3D sensing instrumentation.
• Jena-Optronik: German space-qualified optoelectronic sensors, cameras, and attitude sensors for spacecraft. Direct comparable as a German supplier of precision EO sensors/instruments into the European space supply chain.
• GMV: Spanish space technology company with deep SLR and space surveillance heritage, providing ground-based laser ranging stations, navigation systems, and space debris services. Most direct comparable in European SLR/optical ground station integration.

Broad incumbents

• OHB: Major German/European space systems prime delivering satellites, ground systems, and security/SSA solutions. Competes for the larger integrated contracts in which DiGOS currently serves as a specialist supplier.
• Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Swiss space supplier of structures, mechanisms, and electronic systems for spacecraft. Overlaps with DiGOS in supplying ESA-aligned precision hardware and instruments for space programs.
• Trimble: Global positioning and geospatial technology company with broad GNSS, surveying, and monitoring solutions. Adjacent competitor in GNSS/positioning and a potential channel partner or acquirer for DiGOS's positioning-relevant offerings.
• Hexagon (Leica Geosystems): Swedish-Swiss geospatial measurement group covering surveying, laser scanning, and GNSS. Provides overlapping technologies (LiDAR, total stations, monitoring) relevant to DiGOS's SLR and Phosaris sensing portfolio.
• HENSOLDT: Large German defense and space sensor house offering radar, electronic warfare, and laser-based sensor solutions. Competes broadly in space- and defense-grade electro-optical systems, including laser subsystems relevant to DiGOS's SLR/optical ground stations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digos-potsdam-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Digos