HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH
HPS GmbH is a German specialist designing and manufacturing deployable reflector antennas, de-orbit drag sails, multilayer insulation, and lightweight mechanical-thermal subsystems for European space agencies and satellite prime contractors including Airbus.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersWeißenburg In Bayern, Germany
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH does
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH is a privately held German specialist in mechanical and thermal subsystems for space applications, headquartered in Munich with a wholly-owned engineering subsidiary, HPS SRL, in Bucharest, Romania. The company designs and manufactures deployable reflector antennas up to 7 meters in diameter, large deployable reflector subsystems (LEA) for Earth observation and telecom missions, deployable drag-sail de-orbit subsystems (ADEO), multilayer insulation, CFRP lightweight structures, radiators, smart structures, mechanical ground support equipment, and supporting subsystem elements. The portfolio is flight-proven across flagship European space programs including Copernicus, Galileo, Heinrich Hertz, Euclid, ExoMars, EnMAP, Sentinel, CHEOPS, eROSITA, and GRACE. For the New Space segment, HPS offers compact deployable solutions such as the UDAN UHF-Helix antenna and ADEO-Nano drag sails for nanosatellite platforms.
HPS generates revenue through one-off engineering, development, and production contracts awarded directly by satellite prime contractors and space agencies, with quote-based pricing on bespoke subsystem work. The company operates as a Tier-2 subsystem specialist within European aerospace consortia rather than as a prime contractor, supplying Airbus Defence and Space, ESA, DLR, and related national programs. In June 2026, HPS joined a five-company consortium led by Airbus to deliver sovereign European satellite-based Earth observation and ISR capability, contributing deployable mesh reflector antenna technology. The firm is owned and managed by two Managing Directors, Dr.-Ing. Ernst K. Pfeiffer and Dipl.-Ing. Peter Rauhut, in a structure typical of German Mittelstand companies, with no institutional investor backing disclosed.
Business development runs primarily through direct enterprise engagement, industry events such as Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, and consortium-based bids where Airbus or another prime acts as system integrator. End markets span government Earth observation, telecommunications, scientific missions, defense ISR, and the emerging commercial small-sat segment, with the New Space product line positioned as a secondary growth vector alongside the core European institutional business.
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH
- Legal name
- High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH
- Website
- https://hps-gmbh.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- HPS GmbH is a German specialist designing and manufacturing deployable reflector antennas, de-orbit drag sails, multilayer insulation, and lightweight mechanical-thermal subsystems for European space agencies and satellite prime contractors including Airbus.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Structure Subsystems
- NAICS
- Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Reentry, Descent & Landing Systems (Capsules, Heat Shields, Parachutes) (IMABACAL)
Keywords
Where HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Weißenburg In Bayern
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Space Subsystem Components: HPS designs and manufactures specialized mechanical/thermal subsystems for satellites and space missions. Revenue is generated through direct contracts with satellite prime contractors, space agencies, and government defense programs for subsystem development, integration, and testing services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HPS designs and manufactures specialized mechanical and thermal subsystems for space applications, including large deployable reflector antennas (LEA), deployable drag sails for satellite de-orbiting (ADEO), multilayer insulation (MLI), and lightweight CFRP structures. The company provides complete lifecycle capabilities from engineering and material characterization through Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Test (MAIT) for satellite prime contractors, space agencies, and European government defense programs.
Product overview
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH is a European specialist for mechanical and thermal subsystems for space applications, headquartered in Munich with an office in Bucharest. The company's product portfolio centers on deployable space structures including Large Deployable Reflector Subsystems (LEA) for Earth observation and telecommunications satellites, and the ADEO de-orbit subsystem for end-of-life satellite disposal. Supporting these core products are subsystem integrals (Multilayer Insulation, Lightweight Structures, Radiators, Smart Structures, MGSE) and subsystem elements (Electronic Housing, Mechanical & Thermal Interface Elements, Launcher and Re-entry Technology, New Materials). For the emerging New Space market, HPS offers nanosatellite equipment including the UDAN deployable UHF-Helix Antenna and ADEO deorbit sails. The company also provides comprehensive services encompassing project management, engineering & development, material characterisation, and Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Test (MAIT). HPS participates in European space missions including Copernicus, Euclid, Cheops, EnMAP, and the German Heinrich Hertz mission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Companies that use HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Airbus Defence and SpacecoreHPS is part of a five-company consortium with Airbus serving as prime contractor and system integrator. The consortium develops satellite-based Earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solutions for European governments. HPS contributes deployable mesh reflector antenna technology to the sovereign space intelligence program.
- Rohde & SchwarzcoreMember of the sovereign space intelligence consortium contributing RF components for satellite-based Earth observation and ISR solutions headquartered entirely in Germany.
- constellrcoreMember of the sovereign space intelligence consortium contributing thermal infrared satellite technology for Earth observation applications headquartered entirely in Germany.
- OrbintcoreMember of the sovereign space intelligence consortium contributing geolocation algorithms for ISR solutions headquartered entirely in Germany.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Oxford Space Systems: UK-based developer of deployable antennas and structures for small satellites. Competes with HPS's New Space/nanosatellite line (UDAN, ADEO) for emerging commercial constellation customers.
- D-Orbit: Italian in-orbit services and satellite deployment company including de-orbit and end-of-life disposal offerings. Adjacent competitor in the space-debris/de-orbit domain where HPS sells ADEO drag sails.
- EnduroSat: Bulgarian smallsat platform and subsystem provider targeting commercial constellations. Comparable to HPS's New Space/nanosatellite equipment line as a European smallsat subsystem specialist.
- MMA Design: US deployable structures specialist (HASTE, PUMA) producing reflectors and booms for smallsat and hosted-payload missions. Comparable to HPS in deployable-mechanism domain expertise but focused on US/New Space customers.
- Kythera Space Solutions: Provider of attitude determination and control, propulsion, and deployable mechanisms for small satellites. Overlaps with HPS's New Space deployable antenna and de-orbit offerings.
Direct peers
- Astro Aerospace (Northrop Grumman): US-based specialist in deployable space structures including AstroMesh reflectors up to 22m. Closest functional analog to HPS's LEA large deployable reflectors in the global market.
- Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Swiss-headquartered space structures and mechanisms supplier producing deployable structures, payload fairings, and thermal hardware for ESA and European primes. Direct competitor to HPS in deployable spacecraft structures and MLI.
Broad incumbents
- L3Harris Technologies: US aerospace and defense prime with space antenna, reflector, and structural subsystem capabilities for government and commercial satellites. Broad incumbent competing for the same large-reflector mission content.
- Thales Alenia Space: Joint venture of Thales and Leonardo serving as a European space prime for telecom, navigation, and observation missions. Overlaps with HPS on thermal/mechanical subsystems and antenna structures across Copernicus and Galileo-class programs.
- OHB System: Major European space prime and subsystem integrator with capabilities across satellite platforms, structures, and payloads. Competes with HPS as a broader-portfolio incumbent that often absorbs subsystem scope that might otherwise go to HPS.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH social profiles
Digital presenceHPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH
What does HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH do?
HPS designs and manufactures specialized mechanical and thermal subsystems for space applications, including large deployable reflector antennas (LEA), deployable drag sails for satellite de-orbiting (ADEO), multilayer insulation (MLI), and lightweight CFRP structures. The company provides complete lifecycle capabilities from engineering and material characterization through Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Test (MAIT) for satellite prime contractors, space agencies, and European government defense programs.
Is HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH a public or private company?
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH founded?
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH was founded in 2000.
Where is HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH based?
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH is headquartered in Weißenburg In Bayern, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH make money?
One revenue line is on record: space Subsystem Components.
Who are HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Oxford Space Systems, D-Orbit, EnduroSat, MMA Design and Kythera Space Solutions. Direct peers are Astro Aerospace (Northrop Grumman) and Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space). Broad incumbents are L3Harris Technologies, Thales Alenia Space and OHB System.
Does HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH have an API?
No public API is recorded for HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH.
What industry is HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH in?
HPS High Performance Space Structure Systems GmbH's product category is Space Structure Subsystems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAF, Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control, with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 336419 and its SIC code is 3760.