What esc Aerospace does

esc Aerospace is a privately held aerospace, defence, and security systems integrator and product developer, operating through three independently owned entities in the Czech Republic (esc Aerospace s.r.o., headquartered in Prague), Germany (esc Aerospace GmbH, headquartered in Taufkirchen/Munich), and the United States (esc Aerospace US, Inc., headquartered in Orlando). Founded in 1999 and now employing 101–250 staff across offices in Prague, Brno, Taufkirchen, Hamburg, and Orlando — with distributor coverage in Australia, Canada, and Japan — the company operates three lines of business: Mission Critical Systems (space avionics, on-board computing, radiation monitoring, EGSE/test systems), Security (IT/OT/cyber, ISO 27001 audits, enterprise integrity management), and Defence (UAS/RPAS avionics, GNC, counter-UAS, multispectral ISR, and resilient PNT).

Its core technology stack centres on space-qualified avionics and on-board computing. The escOBC™ satellite on-board computer is built around a 32-bit processor with radiation-immune MRAM memory in a Cubesat PC104 form factor. The escSRC™ product provides secure, resilient multi-channel communications over SATCOM, while escPNT™ offers GPS-independent positioning, navigation, and timing for jammed or spoofed environments. The proprietary SpacePix Detector®, co-developed with Czech Technical University, is a radiation-resistant monolithic pixel detector used in the 2SD Space Dosimetry System Demonstrator, which has flown on VZLUSAT-2. Defence offerings include Integrated Modular Avionics, GNC systems, counter-UAS (escCUAS™), the multi-service aerial platform (escMSAP™), and AI-driven multispectral cameras for ISR. Security offerings include the escEIM™ enterprise integrity management system and DroSecMa drone-security management. The portfolio is qualified to ISO 9001:2015 (certified by DNV GL) and aligned with ESA, NASA, and DoD standards, with flight heritage on missions including ESA/NASA's Solar Orbiter (STIX instrument) and LuxSpace's LVICE2 banking spacecraft.

esc Aerospace earns revenue through four streams: sale of space-qualified hardware (on-board computers, radiation monitors, sensors); systems integration and custom SW/FW/HW development services, including EGSE/SCOE test systems; participation in ESA, EDA, and European Defence Fund projects as a subcontractor or consortium partner; and enterprise security services spanning consulting, assessments, audits, and technology implementation. Pricing is quote-based with no public rates, and distribution is direct enterprise sales augmented by regional distributors. Customers are institutional and prime-contractor buyers, including the European Space Agency, NASA, the European Defence Agency, Airbus Defence and Space, Thales, and LuxSpace, with go-to-market driven by competitive tenders, bilateral business missions, and presence at major industry events such as Eurosatory, Space Tech Expo, and Japan Aerospace.

Name

esc Aerospace

Legal name

esc Aerospace s.r.o.

Website

https://esc-aerospace.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

esc Aerospace is a privately held space, defence, and security systems integrator and product developer that builds space-qualified avionics, radiation sensors, secure communications, counter-UAS, and GNC systems for ESA, NASA, EDA, and European aerospace primes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace and Defence Electronics

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Aircraft Manufacturing (336411)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft (3721), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE), Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

Keywords

• Space-qualified avionics
• Satellite on-board computers
• Counter-UAS systems
• Radiation monitoring sensors
• Defence electronics integration

Headquarters

HQ city

Taufkirchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Space Hardware Systems: Sale of space-qualified on-board computers, radiation monitors, sensor systems, and avionics equipment. Custom hardware development and manufacturing for satellite and spacecraft applications.
2. Systems Integration Services: Full service systems integration, complex systems development, SW/FW/HW customer-based development, and testing services (EGSE/SCOE)
3. R&D Project Participation: Participation in ESA, EDA, European Defence Fund projects and national research programmes as subcontractor or consortium partner
4. Security Solutions: IT, OT, Cyber & Enterprise Security services including strategy consulting, assessments, design, audits (ISO 27001), and technology implementation

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

esc Aerospace designs, develops, and manufactures space-qualified avionics, on-board computers, radiation monitoring instruments, secure SATCOM, resilient PNT, and counter-UAS systems, complemented by full-service systems integration, EGSE/SCOE test systems, and custom SW/FW/HW development for aerospace and defence customers. The company operates three lines of business — Mission Critical Systems, Security, and Defence — serving space agencies (ESA, NASA), the European Defence Agency, and aerospace primes with both proprietary branded products and project-based engineering services.

Product overview

esc Aerospace is an agile, product-neutral systems integrator and product developer offering a portfolio of proprietary branded products across three business lines: Mission Critical Systems, Security, and Defence. The core products include escOBC™ (satellite on-board computer) and escSRC™ (secure communications) for space applications; escEIM™ (enterprise integrity management) and DroSecMa (drone security management) for security; and escPNT™ (resilient positioning/navigation), escCUAS™ (counter-UAS), and escMSAP™ (multi-service aerial platform) for defence. Supporting products include the 2SD Space Dosimetry System with SXRM and SXM radiation detectors, SpacePix radiation monitors, multispectral cameras for ISR, and GNC systems. The portfolio is complemented by systems integration services and custom development for embedded electronics, avionics, and safety-critical systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• escOBC™: On-board computer product line for satellite systems
• escSRC™
• escPNT™
• escCUAS™
• escMSAP™
• escEIM™
• SpacePix Detector®
• DroSecMa
• 2SD (tu:esdi:)

Products and services

• escOBC™ Satellite On-Board Computer Qualified flight computer for satellite systems featuring a 32-bit processor, radiation-immune MRAM memory, and standard Cubesat PC104 form factor compatibility; serves as the primary command and control computer for satellites and other space vehicles.
• escSRC™ Secure and Resilient Multi-Channel Communication Secure and resilient communications system leveraging SATCOM technology for mission-critical data exchange between spacecraft and ground/operators.
• escPNT™ Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solution that does not depend on GPS and is robust to jamming and spoofing, suited to complex and contested operational environments.
• escCUAS™ Counter-Unmanned Aerial System Counter-UAS solution for detecting, tracking, and mitigating rogue drones and unauthorized UAV threats in defence and corporate security contexts.
• escMSAP™ Multi Service Aerial Platform Multi-Service Aerial Platform providing customizable drone solutions tailored to specific mission requirements for defence and security operators.
• escEIM™ Enterprise Integrity Management Corporate information security system providing enterprise-wide integrity management, data leakage prevention, and data protection compliance (including GDPR), deployed to organizations requiring comprehensive IT/OT/cyber security posture.
• DroSecMa Drone Security Management Drone Security Management system for comprehensive drone threat management and security operations across corporate and defence sites.
• 2SD (tu:esdi:) Space Dosimetry System Demonstrator Space radiation monitoring instrument composed of SXRM (SpacePix Radiation Monitor) and SXM (Soft X-ray Monitor) detectors, built on the escOBC2™ platform for cosmic weather studies, dimensions 90x96x45 mm, mass 300g.
• SpacePix Radiation Monitor Space radiation monitor based on the SpacePix2 ASIC, providing pattern recognition in detection layers for monitoring cosmic weather and Earth's radiation field, including particles from low-energy electrons to high-energy heavy ions.
• Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Reconfigurable on-board computer and data handling systems providing Integrated Modular Avionics for avionics of MALE/SMALL RPAS, UAV, and UGV platforms.
• GNC Systems Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) systems engineered for complex operations in contested environments, robust to jamming and spoofing, for UAS and other platforms.
• Multispectral Cameras & AI-driven ISR Multispectral imaging systems applied in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR/ISR) applications, with AI-driven processing for target detection, recognition, and tracking across multiple spectral bands.
• myBUTTERFLY NO2 Pollutant Detector Portable NO2 pollutant detector providing real-time air quality measurements with wireless connectivity via Bluetooth or GSM, leveraging SpacePix detector technology for environmental monitoring.
• Systems Integration Services Full-service systems integration, complex systems development, software/firmware/hardware customer-based development, and EGSE/SCOE test system delivery for space and defence programmes.
• IT, OT, Cyber & Enterprise Security Services Security consulting covering IT, OT and cyber domains, including interim CISO/security management staffing, project management, assessments, design, improvement and ISO 27001 audits, plus technology implementation.
• Defence R&D and Custom SW/FW/HW Development Custom development programmes covering complete SW/FW/HW customer-based development for defence platforms, including SWIL/HWIL simulations and model design for UAS, CUAS and avionics projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Developed STIX instrument for ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission
• +2 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

AI capability2 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Czech Aerospace Research Centre (VZLÚ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Opening of ZEFYROS premises at VZLÚ campus. Long-standing collaboration on satellites including SWARM and VZLUSAT-2. Ongoing collaboration on new challenging missions.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership in space projects including VZLUSAT-2, LVICE2 lunar mission, AMBIC satellite, and Solar Orbiter STIX instrument. ESA is a primary customer and collaboration partner for R&D projects and technology development programmes.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Solar Orbiter mission through ESA partnership, providing STIX instrument for imaging solar X-ray emissions. NASA veteran Stephen Bowen visited Prague to discuss Czech space projects.
• European Defence Agency (EDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in EDA projects including FACELIFT project for future stealth aircraft technologies. FPGA developer positions involve EDA projects.
• Airbus Defence and SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Airbus on aerospace projects. Listed as key partner where employees can work with European key-players in aerospace area.
• ThalescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Thales on space and defence technologies. Participation in Thales Alenia Space industry days and Space Rider programme.
• LuxSpacesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on satellite projects including involvement in LVICE2 mission for banking spacecraft.
• European Defence Fund (EDF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in multiple European Defence Fund projects as a trusted and capable partner, collaborating with leading EU-based defence companies.
• Czech Space AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership; CEO Richard Sysala re-elected to Board of Directors. Alliance advocates for Czech space sector interests to national decision-makers.
• Czech Technical University (CTU/FJFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development of SpacePix Detector® technology and 2SD instrument with university faculty of Nuclear and Physical Engineering. Long-standing academic partnership for radiation detection technology.
• UAE Space AgencysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness mission visit exploring cooperation opportunities in space activities. Met with UAE Space Agency, MBRSC, Orbitalworks, and Space42.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as global partnership alongside ESA, NASA, and EDA for aerospace and defence R&D projects.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OHB System AG: European space prime delivering satellite platforms, avionics and payloads; overlaps directly with esc's on-board computing, satellite systems integration and EGSE offerings for ESA and institutional customers.
• GMV: Spanish-headquartered space systems and software integrator with deep ESA heritage; competes head-on with esc in flight software, on-board computers, GNC, and PNT, and is a comparable European SME-scale space systems house.
• SITAEL: Italian SME-scale space electronics and small-satellite bus provider with ESA heritage; comparable in size, product portfolio (on-board computers, payloads) and customer profile to esc.
• Antwerp Space (OHB subsidiary): Belgian provider of satellite communication and on-board electronics; competes with esc in secure communications (escSRC) and satellite avionics for ESA missions.
• Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Supplies space electronics, structures and launch products to ESA and commercial primes; a direct competitor in on-board computers and avionics subsystems serving the same European satellite customer base as esc.

Broad incumbents

• BAE Systems: Global defence prime with significant space electronics and GNC offerings; broad incumbent competing for many of the same EDA/EDF and allied defence contracts as esc.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Global incumbent in avionics, flight computers and resilient navigation; competes with esc at the broader avionics and PNT level across space and defence platforms.
• Thales Alenia Space: European space prime for satellite platforms, payloads and on-board systems; a key reference customer/partner for esc and a broader competitor across ESA programmes.
• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Norwegian defence prime offering GNC, communications and UAS-related systems; a broad incumbent in the same defence electronics and integrated avionics segments where esc competes.
• Leonardo: Italian defence and aerospace prime covering avionics, GNC, secure communications and counter-UAS; broad incumbent with overlapping product lines to esc's defence portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 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 esc Aerospace