What Astos Solutions does

Astos Solutions GmbH, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany with a regional office in Bucharest, Romania, develops commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software and test equipment for space applications. The company is the commercial steward of the ASTOS platform, whose development traces back to 1989 at DLR and the University of Stuttgart and which was spun off as an independent entity in September 2006. Its product portfolio centers on ASTOS — a multidisciplinary analysis, simulation, and trajectory optimization tool covering the full project lifecycle from launch and re-entry trajectory optimization through vehicle design, mission analysis, GNC design, and safety/risk assessment — and is extended by a suite of specialized modules including LOTOS (low-thrust electric orbit transfer), DCAP (multi-body dynamics), PEET (ECSS-compliant pointing error engineering), GAMAG/GAMAX (spacecraft magnetic cleanliness), ODIN (structural sizing), GESOP and SOS (optimization solvers), and the Camera/Lidar Simulator for closed-loop GNC testing.

Revenue is generated through a mix of subscription COTS licenses, perpetual node-locked or floating licenses with annual maintenance, hardware-bundled solutions (AOCS SCOE combining Astos software with dSPACE platforms), professional services (optimization consulting, safety analyses, training), and reseller arrangements (Syntony GNSS simulator in Germany), with selected tools such as PEET distributed free of charge in ESA member states. Customers are predominantly European institutional and industrial — ESA, DLR, OHB System AG, HyImpulse Technologies, the University of Stuttgart, and a network of academic and amateur-rocket teams — supplemented by an exclusive distribution relationship with SouthernLaunch in Australia. Go-to-market is sales-led direct enterprise engagement, supported by industry conference presence (IAC, Space Tech Expo Europe, APSCC, Africa Space Conference), channel partnerships for regional coverage, and academic licensing programs that build long-term adoption among the next generation of European aerospace engineers.

Name

Astos Solutions

Legal name

Astos Solutions GmbH

Website

https://astos.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Astos Solutions develops the ASTOS COTS simulation and trajectory optimization platform, along with specialized modules (LOTOS, DCAP, PEET, GAMAG, CamSim) and hardware-in-the-loop test equipment, serving European space agencies (ESA, DLR), aerospace primes (OHB, HyImpulse), and research institutions worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Mission Simulation Software

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)

Keywords

• Trajectory optimization software
• Space mission analysis
• Spacecraft design optimization
• GNC simulation software
• Launch safety analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. COTS Software Licenses: Sale of commercial off-the-shelf software products including ASTOS, LOTOS, DCAP, PEET, GAMAG, and related tools. The company operates an annual licensing model for continuous delivery of updates and support.
2. Software Licenses: Perpetual node-locked or floating licenses available for certain products like DCAP, including software updates for one year and optional yearly maintenance renewal.
3. Hardware/EGSE Solutions: Sale of GNC/AOCS Special Check-Out Equipment (SCOE) combining dSPACE hardware with ASTOS software, providing turnkey testing solutions for spacecraft verification
4. Professional Services: Optimization and simulation services, safety analyses, model formulation and preparation, technical solutions, online support, and software trainings (online and on-site)
5. Reseller Revenue: Resale of Syntony GNSS Constellator simulator in Germany, offered standalone or in combination with AOCS SCOE
6. PEET Free Distribution: PEET software developed under ESA contract is available free-of-charge to companies, institutions and agencies in ESA member states, with the company potentially deriving revenue from training and support services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Astos Solutions develops and sells commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software and test equipment for space applications, anchored by its flagship ASTOS platform for trajectory optimization, multidisciplinary spacecraft design, mission analysis, GNC/AOCS design and simulation, and launch/re-entry safety analysis. The portfolio extends with specialized modules (LOTOS, DCAP, PEET, GAMAG, Camera/Lidar Simulator), hardware-in-the-loop testbenches and AOCS SCOE built on dSPACE hardware, plus professional services such as optimization consulting, safety analyses, and software training. The company sells these products and services primarily to space agencies, aerospace manufacturers, and research institutions worldwide.

Product overview

Astos Solutions provides a comprehensive software and test equipment portfolio for space applications, centered on the ASTOS platform as the core commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product. ASTOS serves as the primary multidisciplinary analysis, simulation, and trajectory optimization software supporting the full project lifecycle. The portfolio includes specialized modules: LOTOS for low-thrust electric propulsion orbit transfers, DCAP for multi-body dynamics, PEET for pointing error budgeting, GAMAG/GAMAX for spacecraft magnetic cleanliness, and the Camera Simulator for real-time camera/Lidar simulation. Hardware-in-the-loop capabilities are delivered through the MIL/PIL/HIL Testbench and AOCS SCOE using dSPACE integration. Supporting tools include GESOP for trajectory optimization, SOS for sparse optimization, VESTA for 3D visualization, and ODIN for structural sizing. The Syntony GNSS Simulator is resold as a complementary product. Services encompass optimization consulting, safety analyses, and software training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ASTOS: Analysis, Simulation and Trajectory Optimization Software for Space Applications - the company's primary software product
• LOTOS
• DCAP
• PEET
• GAMAG
• GESOP
• VESTA
• SOS
• CamSim

Products and services

• ASTOS Multi-purpose analysis, simulation, and trajectory optimization software for space applications supporting the full project lifecycle from trajectory optimization to multidisciplinary vehicle design, mission analysis, system concept analysis, GNC design, and launch/reentry safety analysis. Designated as ESA reference software.
• LOTOS Low-Thrust Orbit Transfer Trajectory Optimization Software for electric propulsion orbit-raising scenarios, hybrid transfers, and spacecraft operations during orbit transfer with re-optimization capabilities.
• DCAP Dynamic and Control Analysis Package - multi-body dynamics software for modeling, simulating, and analyzing coupled rigid and flexible structural systems with symbolic order(n) formulation for efficient real-time simulations. Licensed by Thales Alenia Space.
• PEET Pointing Error Engineering Tool - MATLAB-based toolbox for setting up and calculating error budgets following ECSS standards and ESA Pointing Error Engineering Handbook methodology. Developed under ESA contract.
• GAMAG Spacecraft Magnetic Cleanliness Analysis Software using Multiple Dipole Modeling to calculate magnetic field at specification points and optimize compensation-magnet systems. Reduces magnetic cleanliness session times from hours to minutes.
• GAMAX Coil-free magnetic cleanliness technology using Multiple Dipole Modeling without requiring a Helmholtz coil facility, instead using beam-mounted sensors for magnetic field measurements.
• Camera Simulator (CamSim) Real-time camera and Lidar simulation hardware/software solution providing photo-realistic image generation and raw depth maps for closed-loop GNC simulations, hardware-in-the-loop testing, rendezvous and landing scenarios, and AI training data generation.
• MIL/PIL/HIL Testbench Integrated Model-in-the-Loop, Processor-in-the-Loop, and Hardware-in-the-Loop simulation environment using ASTOS with dSPACE SCALEXIO for GNC/AOCS sizing, simulation, and validation.
• AOCS SCOE Attitude and Orbit Control System Special Check-Out Equipment combining ASTOS software with dSPACE hardware for spacecraft equipment and satellite testing with dynamics and environment simulation. Supports SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CAN, and Ethernet interfaces.
• GESOP Graphical Environment for Simulation and Optimization - trajectory analysis system using direct collocation methods (TROPIC, SOCS), multiple shooting (PROMIS), and hybrid optimizer (CAMTOS) for dynamic systems.
• SOS (Sparse Optimization Suite) High-performance NLP solver for optimal control, parameter estimation, and data fitting with automatic mesh refinement and sparsity computations, supporting problems with over 100,000 variables. Distributed by Astos and integrated with GESOP/ASTOS.
• VESTA Virtual Environment for Space and Terrestrial Applications - open-source 3D graphics engine for animation of space scenarios, visualization of mission analysis results, and presentations, available under Astos Solutions Free Public License with C++/Java/Python interface.
• Syntony GNSS Constellator Simulator (resold) Resold Syntony Constellator product providing 128-channel hardware-in-the-loop GNSS testing at 10-100Hz refresh rates with full time/location control, trajectory dynamics, and atmospheric error simulation. Offered standalone or bundled with AOCS SCOE in Germany.
• ASTOS Amateur Rockets Simplified ASTOS version for amateur rocket simulation with reduced model set, no optimization feature, and sub-orbital flights only, designed for educational and amateur use.
• ODIN (Optimal Design Investigations) Optimal Design Investigations - structural sizing tool within the multidisciplinary design optimization process using a random search method for mass-optimized design of main structural components with FEM-model export capability. Reduces preliminary design time from weeks to days.
• Professional Services Optimization and simulation services, safety analyses, model formulation and preparation, technical solutions, online support, and software trainings (online and on-site) for ASTOS, LOTOS, GAMAG, PEET, and amateur rocket projects.
• MoonDesk (project visualization tool) Visualization tool for exploration missions providing realistic planetary surface visualization up to 0.5m resolution with eclipse calculations, ephemerides, and spacecraft/rover display, developed for ESA mission planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Session times reduced from hours to minutes for magnetic cleanliness analysis with GAMAG
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SouthernLaunchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2019Exclusive distributor agreement signed in May 2019 giving SouthernLaunch rights to sell Astos products to companies working on rocket launch in Australia. Lloyd Damp, CEO of SouthernLaunch leads the partnership.
• SyntonyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAstos Solutions acts as reseller of Syntony's Constellator GNSS simulator in Germany. The Constellator is offered standalone or in combination with the AOCS SCOE.
• dSPACEcoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership for HIL testing using dSPACE SCALEXIO real-time processing platform. Astos software serves as simulator with dSPACE hardware and software for SCOE controller development. dSPACE builds SCOEs in series for automotive and aeronautic industries.
• Applied Mathematical Analysis (AMA)coreTechnology or IntegrationSOS (Sparse Optimization Suite) developed by John Betts and team from AMA. Astos distributes SOS as a product and integrates it with GESOP/ASTOS for advanced optimization capabilities.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple ESA contracts including MDO framework development, NEOPROP2, RADID, MoonDesk, and PEET development. ESA is both a customer and strategic development partner.
• enGits GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in HyGo (Hybrid, Green Upper Stage) project developing upper stage for orbital rocket using innovative and cost-saving technologies.
• University of Stuttgart - Institute of Aircraft SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in HyGo project consortium, contributing to rocket technology development in Baden-Württemberg.
• HyImpulse Technologies GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in HyGo project representing rocket technology expertise, part of the 'Rocket Technology, Made in Baden-Württemberg' consortium.
• MT AerospaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubcontractor in ESA MDO (Multidisciplinary Design Optimization) project for launcher and entry vehicle optimization framework.
• HTG - Hypersonic Technology GöttingenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubcontractor in ESA RADID (Rapid Assessment of Design Impact on Debris Generation) project.
• The MathWorks (Simulink)coreTechnology or IntegrationMATLAB/Simulink integration enables GNC design in Simulink while ASTOS provides dynamics, environment simulation and multi-body capabilities. Simulink models can be exported for optimization using Real-Time Workshop.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• OHB System AG: European space prime currently using Astos's AOCS SCOE on the SARah reconnaissance programme. OHB is largely a customer and partner rather than direct competitor, but operates in the same German aerospace ecosystem and shapes Astos's roadmap through prime-level procurement.
• Telespazio: Italian-headquartered space services company covering mission analysis, satellite operations and space surveillance, frequently collaborating with ESA on GNC and mission-planning studies. Astos partners with Telespazio-adjacent primes (OHB, Thales Alenia Space) and competes for overlapping engineering services budgets.

Broad incumbents

• Altair: Provider of HyperWorks/OptiStruct structural and multidisciplinary optimization tools with growing aerospace presence. Overlaps with ASTOS/ODIN's structural sizing and MDO capabilities within a broader engineering simulation portfolio.
• Ansys: Multiphysics simulation incumbent with structural, thermal and aero products now extending into mission analysis following the AGI acquisition. Comparable broad simulation vendor whose Deep Space Trajectory Explorer and aero/structural coupling increasingly overlap with ASTOS's multidisciplinary design optimization scope.
• MathWorks: Maker of MATLAB/Simulink, the dominant environment for GNC code generation in aerospace. Astos's Simulink co-simulation interface positions MathWorks as both the deepest integration partner and the broader incumbent whose expanding toolboxes (e.g., Optimization Toolbox) compete with ASTOS at the edges.

Direct peers

• dSPACE: dSPACE provides SCALEXIO real-time HIL hardware and automotive/aerospace testbeds. Astos integrates its simulator with dSPACE for AOCS SCOE and PIL/HIL test benches, making dSPACE both a strategic technology partner and a near-neighbour in spacecraft GNC validation tooling.
• GMV: Madrid-based GMV is a large European space software and services firm with products like FocusSuite for orbit determination, collision avoidance and mission planning, and GNC/AOCS HIL tooling. Direct competitor to Astos in ESA-funded GNC and mission-analysis tooling, with overlapping ESA primes and academic customers.
• Analytical Graphics (now Ansys STK): STK (Systems Tool Kit) is the leading commercial mission-analysis and trajectory-design software for satellites, launch vehicles and re-entry. Direct overlap with ASTOS in orbit/launch trajectory design, visibility, link-budget and lifetime analysis — making it Astos's closest Western competitor in mission analysis.

Regional players

• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Kongsberg delivers GNC simulation, HIL test equipment, and satellite/launch vehicle subsystems largely for Nordic and US customers, with parallel scope to Astos's AOCS SCOE offering. Comparable aerospace GNC/HIL player but concentrated in Norway/North America vs Astos's EMEA focus.

Emerging players

• SITAEL: Italian small-satellite and electric-propulsion manufacturer building in-house propulsion, GNC and AOCS capabilities that overlap with ASTOS/LOTOS customer use cases. Comparable scope on smaller LEO platforms and emerging propulsion workflows where Astos competes for design-tooling share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/astossolutions
• Facebookfacebook.com/AstosSolutions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/astos-solutions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Astos Solutions