OHB Czechspace

What OHB Czechspace does

OHB Czechspace s.r.o. is a Brno, Czech Republic-based aerospace engineering company founded in 2017 and operating since 2018 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German-headquartered OHB SE space technology group. The company specializes in spacecraft structural design, analysis, manufacturing, and mechanical testing, with particular technical depth in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite structures, central tubes, sandwich panels, and mechanical ground support equipment. As of 2025 the company employs 38 people, up from 12 in 2019, and operates from a single headquarters and engineering facility in Brno-Medlánky under ISO 9001 certification (achieved December 2022).

The company serves institutional European space customers, principally the European Space Agency (ESA) and OHB SE group sister companies including OHB System (Hera, PLATO primes), OHB Italia (Comet Interceptor prime), and OHB LuxSpace (SSGL), as well as cooperation with JAXA on Comet Interceptor. Active ESA-funded programs include Hera (structure launched October 2024), PLATO (central tube and structural analysis, structural testing planned for 2026), Comet Interceptor (dust-shield AIT), SOVA-S (Czech-led ESA Scout prime contract signed 2025), CRYSA (cryogenic materials testing for ATHENA), NEP RocketRoll (nuclear electric propulsion feasibility), CO2M (Copernicus structural analysis), and the SmartBeam CFRP-with-Health-Monitoring-System development. Beyond flight hardware, the company runs multiple ESA studies covering Zero Debris platform compliance, Earth-Moon cargo service (EMCS), lightweight deployable radiators (LiDeR), and Argonaut nuclear safety.

The business model is B2B institutional contract-based: revenue is generated through one-time hardware deliveries (spacecraft and launcher structures, MGSE) and professional engineering services (FE modeling, static/dynamic analysis, thermo-elastic analysis, design optimization, mechanical testing), all delivered under ESA or prime-contractor agreements with quote-based pricing typical of the sector. Distribution is direct enterprise sales; primary marketing channels are industry events (Czech Space Week, Space2Business, European space conferences) supplemented by academic and community engagement (Czech Rocket Challenge, Brno Space Days). There is no external venture or growth funding; the company is fully financed within the OHB SE group.

Name

OHB Czechspace

Legal name

OHB Czechspace s.r.o.

Website

https://ohb-czech.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OHB Czechspace s.r.o. is a Brno-based spacecraft structural engineering subsidiary of OHB SE that designs, analyzes, manufactures, and tests CFRP composite structures and mechanical ground support equipment for ESA missions including Hera, PLATO, Comet Interceptor, and SOVA-S.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spacecraft Structural Engineering

NAICS

Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK), NDT/Inspection & Testing Services (Aviation) (IMABALAJ)

Keywords

• Spacecraft structural design
• CFRP composite manufacturing
• Mechanical testing services
• Finite element analysis
• Aerospace engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brno-Medlanky

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Spacecraft Structure Development and Manufacturing: Design, development, manufacturing and supply of spacecraft structures, including central tubes, sandwich panels, CFRP components, and mechanical ground support equipment for satellites and launch vehicles
2. Structural Analysis Services: Engineering analysis services including FE modeling, static/dynamic analysis, stress verification, thermo-elastic analysis, and design optimization
3. Mechanical Testing Services: Conducting mechanical tests including static load tests, vibration testing, and acoustic testing for spacecraft validation

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

OHB Czechspace designs, analyzes, manufactures, and tests spacecraft structural hardware and mechanical ground support equipment for satellites and launch vehicles. Its core deliverables include central tubes, sandwich panels, CFRP composite structures, and aluminum components, supported by in-house structural analysis (finite element modeling, stress verification, thermo-elastic analysis) and mechanical testing services (modal, vibration, acoustic, shock). Customers are ESA and European space industry primes such as OHB System and OHB Italia.

Product overview

OHB Czechspace is a Czech aerospace company specializing in spacecraft structures, mechanical engineering, and testing services. The company operates as part of OHB SE group and serves ESA and space industry clients. Core offerings include structural analysis (FE models, stress verification, thermo-elastic analysis), spacecraft design (CAD models, IRD, drawings), manufacturing of aluminum and CFRP components (central tubes, sandwich panels, platforms), and mechanical testing (modal, vibration, acoustic, shock). Key products include PLATO Central Tube for exoplanet detection, HERA spacecraft structure for planetary defense, Comet Interceptor dust shield, and SOVA-S Scout mission. The company also leads studies on nuclear propulsion (NEP RocketRoll), cryogenic materials (CRYSA), and zero debris platforms. Services are delivered through engineering teams in Brno, Czech Republic.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spacecraft Structure Design & Development End-to-end design, verification, manufacturing, and testing of structural equipment for satellites and launch vehicles, including complete spacecraft structures, structural analysis, and mechanical design services for ESA and European space industry primes.
• Structural Analysis Services Engineering analysis services including FE model creation, static and dynamic analysis, stress verification, thermo-elastic analysis, stability analysis, design optimization, sandwich panel insert verification, bolt verification, weld analysis, fracture mechanics, and fatigue analysis for spacecraft structures.
• Mechanical Testing Services In-house mechanical testing services including modal testing, random vibration, acoustic vibration, sine burst, static load, shock, and microvibration testing for spacecraft components.
• PLATO Central Tube Carbon fiber-reinforced composite central tube for ESA's PLATO exoplanet detection mission, including LVA interface ring for launcher connection, delivered in consortium with INVENT GmbH.
• HERA Spacecraft Structure Complete spacecraft structure for ESA's Hera planetary defense mission, providing interfaces for scientific instruments, solar panels, batteries, antennae, and rocket interface.
• Comet Interceptor Dust Shield Multi-layered dust shield assembly for Comet Interceptor mission, designed to protect the satellite from comet dust particles during close approach.
• SmallSat Guideline (SSGL) Design guideline and structural concept enabling efficient satellite stacking across various launch vehicles, reducing dispenser structure weight and aligning with Zero Debris approach.
• SOVA-S Scout Mission Czech-led ESA Scout mission for atmospheric gravity wave research using airglow measurement from upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere (80–120 km altitude), with OHB Czechspace as prime contractor.
• NEP RocketRoll Feasibility study for Nuclear Electric Propulsion system using nuclear fission reactor for demanding space logistics and exploration missions.
• CRYSA Cryogenic Straps Cryogenic straps development for ATHENA X-ray telescope, testing materials that withstand temperatures below -270°C, in partnership with Czech Academy of Sciences institutes.
• CO2M Structural Analysis Structural analysis for Copernicus CO2 Monitoring mission satellite platform, verifying static strength of primary, secondary, and tertiary structure.
• SmartBeam CFRP Tube Project New affordable and reliable manufacturing method for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) tubes with integrated Health Monitoring System (HMS), funded by ESA STS Future Launchers Preparatory Programme.
• Zero Debris Platform Study ESA study analyzing structural requirements for satellite platform compliance with 2030 Zero Debris standards.
• Earth-Moon Cargo Service (EMCS) Study ESA study identifying key technologies for expandable Earth-Moon cargo transportation to cislunar orbit.
• Lightweight Deployable Radiators (LiDeR) Development of lightweight deployable radiators for telecommunication satellites to increase effective radiation area.
• Argonaut Nuclear Safety Study Safety analysis of possible nuclear payload on European Large Logistic Lander (EL3) for Moon missions.

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Berlin Space TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 July 2025Subcontractor on the SOVA-S mission providing satellite technology expertise and support.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary customer and strategic partner for multiple space missions including HERA, PLATO, Comet Interceptor, NEP RocketRoll, SOVA-S, CRYSA, CO2M, and various ESA studies. OHB Czechspace acts as prime contractor or subcontractor depending on the project.
• OHB SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent-group sister company and major customer. OHB Czechspace supplies structural subsystems to OHB System for various ESA missions including HERA (prime customer) and PLATO.
• OHB ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHB Italia is prime contractor for the Comet Interceptor mission. OHB Czechspace contributes structural engineering and AIT services for dust shield development.
• OHB LuxSpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubcontractor on the SmallSat Guideline (SSGL) project supporting OHB Czechspace as prime contractor.
• Czech Technical University (CTU/CVUT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner on NEP RocketRoll project and SmartBeam project, providing research and development expertise in propulsion and composite materials.
• Institute of Space Systems (IRS), University of StuttgartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on NEP RocketRoll project contributing propulsion system engineering expertise.
• CompoTech PLUSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on SmartBeam project for development of CFRP tubes with integrated health monitoring systems.
• INVENT GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner on PLATO mission, manufacturing the Central Tube. OHB Czechspace responsible for structural analysis and testing coordination.
• Institute of Scientific Instruments, Czech Academy of SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on CRYSA project developing and testing cryogenic materials for ATHENA telescope.
• Institute of Physics of Materials, Czech Academy of SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner on CRYSA project for cryogenic material development and testing.
• German Space Agency (DLR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience team led by DLR Principal Investigator for the SOVA-S mission atmospheric research.
• Brno University of Technology (BUT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing testing facilities and collaboration on PLATO static load testing at the Institute of Aerospace Engineering.
• Czech Rocket SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting student rocketry competitions and education initiatives. OHB Czechspace sponsors Czech Rocket Challenge events.
• JAXAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese Space Agency cooperation on Comet Interceptor mission - JAXA provides one of the two smaller probes and its scientific instruments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Thales Alenia Space: Major European prime contractor for satellites, space structures, and orbital systems. Overlaps with OHB Czechspace as a customer (e.g. Comet Interceptor) and as a competitor for ESA structural subsystem work.

Direct peers

• OHB System AG: Direct sister company under OHB SE and the largest customer of OHB Czechspace. Both operate as aerospace engineering and spacecraft systems integrators within the same parent group, with overlapping structural and mission integration capabilities for ESA programmes.
• OHB Italia: Italian sister company within OHB SE group, prime contractor on Comet Interceptor. Comparable in spacecraft structures, AIT, and ESA programme delivery; OHB Czechspace is a key subcontractor to OHB Italia on structural work.
• Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space): European-headquartered supplier of spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and thermal products. Direct peer in composite structures, structural panels, and launcher/satellite structures, serving the same ESA and commercial primes customer base.
• SABCA: Belgian aerospace manufacturer producing spacecraft structures, mechanisms, and thermal products for ESA and commercial programmes. Comparable in delivering CFRP/aluminium structural subsystems and MGSE for satellites and launchers.
• SENER Aeroespacial: Spanish space engineering firm with dedicated space mechanisms, structures, and AIT capabilities. Directly comparable as a mid-sized European supplier of structural subsystems and MGSE for ESA missions.

Regional players

• INVAP: Argentine state-owned space and nuclear engineering company building satellites and structural subsystems. Comparable as a small/mid-sized national space engineering firm delivering satellite platforms and structural work for government customers.

Emerging players

• SITAEL: Italian small-satellite and space propulsion company providing end-to-end satellite platforms. Comparable in providing integrated space systems and AIT services to European institutional customers, though with a different product mix.
• ISISPACE: Dutch small-satellite integrator and supplier of CubeSat structures, deployers, and subsystems. Comparable as a European small-satellite structures and subsystems provider working with ESA and university customers.
• Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Norwegian aerospace division with growing space structures and microsatellite capabilities. Comparable in providing composite structures and precision mechanisms for European space missions, though broader defence focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohb-czechspace

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 OHB Czechspace