ZARM Technik

What ZARM Technik does

ZARM Technik AG is a privately held German space-hardware manufacturer founded in 1997 as a spin-off from the Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at the University of Bremen. The company designs and produces Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) equipment for satellites, with a portfolio centered on magnetic torquers (actuators providing magnetic dipole moments from 0.1 Am² to 1000 Am² with over 50 flight designs), fluxgate and AMR magnetometers (with the fluxgate line carrying 450,000+ hours of flight heritage), and digital electronic control units for magnetic torquer drive electronics. Hardware is built to ESA ECSS standards by ESA-qualified personnel and the firm operates an ISO 9001-certified quality management system.

The firm serves large satellite system integrators and primes, European and international space agencies, and universities worldwide, supplying equipment as single pieces or in series for entire constellations. It has supported 250+ international missions with 2,000+ years of cumulative flight heritage and zero reported product failures during test or on-orbit operation. Its go-to-market is direct B2B enterprise sales via dedicated project managers (e.g., Martin Kruse for magnetic torquers, Michael Warnke for magnetometers), with customization performed in direct dialogue with each customer rather than standardized catalog SKUs.

Revenue is generated through three streams: sales of AOCS hardware products (the largest contributor by volume), environmental testing services (thermal vacuum, vibration, centrifuge, microgravity drop tower), and engineering/R&D services, the latter partly funded through European Union research programs such as VIBES-MACS, AKIRA II, SatRa, SAKURA, WARM, and KIWi. Pricing is quote-based and mission-specific under multi-year contractual cycles; no standardized public pricing is offered. The 35-person team of engineers, technicians, and scientists is led by CEO Holger W. Oelze (since 2013) with Technical Director Peter Offterdinger (founding-era tenure since 1993) and CFO Peter von Kampen.

Name

ZARM Technik

Legal name

ZARM Technik AG

Website

https://zarm-technik.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZARM Technik AG is a Bremen-based German space hardware manufacturer that designs and produces magnetic torquers, magnetometers, and electronic control units for satellite attitude and orbit control, serving satellite primes, space agencies, and universities worldwide with customized, ESA ECSS-compliant AOCS equipment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite AOCS Components

NAICS

Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) for Space Systems (IMABACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• AOCS equipment manufacturing
• Satellite attitude control
• Magnetic torquers
• Space magnetometers
• Aerospace testing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

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, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. AOCS Hardware Products: Sale of magnetic torquers, magnetometers (fluxgate and AMR), and electronic control units. Products are delivered as single pieces or series for entire constellations. Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales with customization options.
2. Environmental Testing Services: Comprehensive testing services including mechanical stress tests (vibration/shaker), environmental tests (thermal vacuum), static load and acceleration tests (centrifuge/hyper-gravity), and thermal shock testing. Provided at competitive prices for small and large scale aerospace components.
3. Engineering and R&D Services: Services for research and development as well as scientific consulting in the aerospace sector. Engineers design new components for spacecraft and optimise current systems and solutions. Partially funded by European Union R&D programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ZARM Technik designs, manufactures and supplies Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) equipment for satellites and spacecraft, including Magnetic Torquers (0.1–1000 Am² range), Fluxgate and AMR Magnetometers, and Electronic Control Units for Magnetic Torquers. The company delivers these as single pieces or series for entire constellations to large system integrators, space agencies, and universities, complemented by environmental testing services and mission-specific component customization.

Product overview

ZARM Technik AG provides a portfolio of AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System) equipment for satellites and spacecraft. The core product line consists of four main hardware products: Magnetic Torquers (actuators providing magnetic dipole moment from 0.1Am² to 1000Am² with over 50 flight designs), Fluxgate Magnetometers (HiRel analogue three-axis sensors with over 450,000 hours flight heritage), AMR Magnetometers (digital COTS-based sensors with TRL9 radiation tolerance), and Electronic Control Units for Magnetic Torquers (digital driver units with TRL9 rating). These products are complemented by environmental testing services (thermal vacuum, vibration, centrifuge, and microgravity testing), engineering development services, and component customization offerings. The company has supplied equipment to over 250 international missions and maintains over 2,000 years of combined flight heritage with zero failures during test or on-orbit operation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ international missions supplied successfully
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ZARM Institute (Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZARM Technik was founded as a spin-off from the ZARM institute at University of Bremen in 1997. The company maintains a close partnership with ZARM institute and ZARM FAB for testing campaigns and collaborative projects. The university institute contributed to several German space missions and ZARM Technik's goal was to promote the resulting inventions.
• ZARM FABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose cooperation between ZARM institute, ZARM FAB and spin-off ZARM Technik to support scientific and industry customers. ZARM, ZARM Fab, and ZARM Technik conveniently combine a variety of test labs for small and large scale aerospace components.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreTechnology or IntegrationSpace hardware is built to ESA ECSS standards by ESA qualified personnel. ZARM Technik participates in ESA-funded R&D activities and has personnel trained to ESA standards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AAC Clyde Space: Swedish small-satellite subsystems supplier offering AOCS components, including magnetorquers and magnetometers, for cubesats and small satellites. Overlaps with ZARM Technik on AOCS hardware but focuses on commercial smallsat customers.
• SITAEL: Italian space company offering AOCS components, propulsion, and avionics for small satellites. Overlaps with ZARM Technik in European AOCS supply for institutional and commercial missions.
• Jena-Optronik: German-based supplier of AOCS sensors (star trackers, sun sensors, lidar) for European space missions. Directly comparable as a European space-grade AOCS component manufacturer supplying satellite primes and agencies.
• GomSpace: Danish cubesat subsystems supplier providing magnetometers, magnetorquers, and integrated ADCS solutions. Comparable on AOCS component offering, though focused on the cubesat and smallsat segment.
• Bradford Space: Subsidiary of Bradford Engineering specializing in attitude control subsystems for small satellites, including reaction wheels and propulsion. A direct peer in the European AOCS subsystem market with overlapping satellite prime customers.

Broad incumbents

• Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): Major European space equipment supplier providing AOCS mechanisms, reaction wheels, and structural components to satellite primes. Overlaps with ZARM Technik on AOCS hardware but operates at significantly larger scale across a broader portfolio.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Large U.S. aerospace supplier offering a wide range of space AOCS components, sensors, and integrated attitude control solutions. Competes with ZARM Technik indirectly in supplying satellite primes globally, though typically as part of larger integrated systems.
• Moog Inc. U.S. precision motion control and space mechanisms supplier with significant space AOCS and actuator offerings. A broader incumbent whose space-grade actuation capabilities overlap with magnetic torquer technology.

Emerging players

• ISIS - Innovative Solutions In Space: Dutch cubesat subsystem and components supplier offering magnetorquers and ADCS components for small satellites. Adjacent product overlap, though primarily serving the smallsat/academic segment.
• CubeSpace Satellite Systems: South African ADCS specialist producing magnetorquers, magnetometers, and integrated attitude determination and control subsystems for cubesats. Directly comparable product portfolio, though targeting smaller satellite classes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about ZARM Technik