DSI Aerospace

What DSI Aerospace does

DSI Aerospace GmbH is a Bremen-based, privately-held SME founded in 1997 as a spin-off of Hochschule Bremen that designs, develops, manufactures, and qualifies radiation-hardened digital electronic systems for spacecraft. The company's core product portfolio spans six groups: On-Board Computers, Payload Data Handling Units, Data Processing Units, Instrument Control Units, Ground Support Equipment, and Radiation Testing services. Underlying technology centers on FPGA-based processing (Microsemi and Xilinx), NAND flash mass memory storage (with current product capacity up to 48 Tbit and aggregated data rates up to 20 Gbps in the MMU-NXT development), and in-house radiation screening (SEE and TID testing). Products are delivered as either box-level standalone units or board-level plug-in cards (e.g., cPCI-SS) and are qualified for long-duration, deep-space, and human-spaceflight environments.

The business model is hardware sales via B2B project-based contracts, with no public pricing or rate cards. DSI serves as both a direct prime contractor to ESA (e.g., JUICE SSMM with Beyond Gravity since 2015, ClearSpace-1 OBDH, five Copernicus second-generation missions) and as a tier-1/tier-2 subcontractor to European aerospace primes (Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, OHB, Beyond Gravity, Redwire Space). Government space agencies — ESA, DLR, JAXA, KARI, KACST, CNES — anchor the customer roster across Earth Observation, Science & Exploration, Space Safety, and emerging New Space segments. Revenue recognition is lumpy and tied to multi-year space program development and qualification cycles; notable volume deliveries include 30 flight plus 20 engineering/qualification modules for the KOMPSAT-7 program with KARI.

Operationally, DSI employs 51-100 people across its Bremen headquarters (housing ISO Class 7 clean room, thermal/vacuum chambers, and EMI/RFI-shielded crypto facilities), a Braunschweig engineering branch, and a Hungarian subsidiary (DSI Aerospace Hungary Kft., established 2024). The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification (DNV) and reports over 150 cumulative failure-free years in orbit across its heritage missions. In 2023, ownership was consolidated under EHC Ventures GmbH, a vehicle founded by co-founders Harald Michalik, Dr. Christian Dierker, and Elias Hashem, with Managing Directors Dr. Christian Dierker and Elias Hashem leading the company. Active R&D initiatives include SOPHOS (Horizon Europe, DSI-coordinated), 6G-TakeOff (BMWK-funded), MMU-NXT (next-generation mass memory), AIComS (DLR, AI/ML for satellite 5G), and DR.BEAT (DLR, BCG-based astronaut health monitoring).

Name

DSI Aerospace

Legal name

DSI Aerospace GmbH

Website

https://dsi.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

DSI Aerospace GmbH, founded in 1997 in Bremen, designs and manufactures radiation-hardened spaceborne digital electronics — onboard computers, payload data handling units, mass memory units, data processing units, and instrument control units — for ESA, DLR, JAXA, KARI, and European aerospace primes including Airbus, Thales Alenia, OHB, and Redwire Space.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Electronics

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), 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

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Spaceborne avionics systems
• Satellite onboard electronics
• Radiation-hardened components
• Payload data handling
• Spacecraft computing systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Bremen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Space Electronics Hardware Sales: DSI designs, develops, manufactures, and qualifies custom space electronics hardware including onboard computers, payload data handling units, mass memory units, instrument control units, and data processing units. Revenue is generated through direct prime contracts with ESA, subcontracts with system integrators, and development agreements with space agencies and satellite manufacturers. Revenue is project-based with long development cycles typical of space programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

DSI Aerospace designs, develops, manufactures, and qualifies custom spaceborne digital electronics for satellite and deep-space missions, including on-board computers, payload data handling units, mass memory units, data processing units, and instrument control units. The company also supplies ground support equipment for spacecraft avionics testing and offers radiation up-screening services (SEE and TID) for memory devices and FPGAs. Products are delivered as either box-level standalone units or board-level components integrated into customer satellite platforms.

Product overview

DSI Aerospace offers a comprehensive portfolio of space-grade electronics products organized into six core product groups: On-Board Computers (central spacecraft computing with redundant CPU design), Payload Data Handling Units (mass memory systems with 1-8 Tbit storage and up to 5 Gbps data rates), Data Processing Units (FPGA-based units for compression, encryption, and data processing), Instrument Control Units (FPGA-based systems for instrument interfacing), Ground Support Equipment (test equipment for spacecraft avionics), and Radiation Testing services. Additionally, the company maintains active R&D initiatives including DR.BEAT (wearable health monitoring), MMU-NXT (next-generation mass memory with 48 Tbit capacity), SOPHOS (SAR data processing), and 6G-TakeOff (3D communication networks). The products are available as either box-level standalone units or board-level components for integration into customer enclosures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• On-Board Computers Spacecraft central computing units providing robust command and control with hot/cold redundancy, designed with radiation-hardened components. Features fault detection, spacecraft monitoring and control, time management, and EDAC-protected memories. Sold to space agencies and aerospace primes for satellite and deep-space missions.
• Payload Data Handling Units Mass memory systems for spacecraft data storage, telemetry encoding, and data processing. Feature solid-state recording with storage capacities of 1-8 Tbit, data rates up to 5 Gbps, and support for interfaces including WizardLink, Ethernet, SpaceFibre, and SpaceWire. Sold to space agencies and prime contractors for high-data-rate Earth observation and science payloads.
• Data Processing Units Versatile FPGA-based processing units providing data compression, encryption, and cloud detection capabilities. Feature customizable internal memory and interfaces using modern, secure FPGAs from Microsemi and Xilinx. Sold to space agencies and integrators needing onboard data processing for satellite payloads.
• Instrument Control Units Specialized FPGA-based systems for interfacing with spacecraft instruments, providing control and monitoring for complex subsystems. Feature flexible and customizable digital and analogue instrument interfaces. Sold to mission teams requiring reliable instrument commanding and health monitoring.
• Ground Support Equipment Test and operational equipment for spacecraft avionics, including electric ground support equipment (EGSE), unit testers, and board-level testers. Available as compact box-level enclosures or board-level plug-in cards with cPCI-SS interface. Sold to satellite manufacturers and integrators for pre-launch checkout and ongoing testing.
• Radiation Testing Component reliability testing services including single-event effects (SEE) evaluation, total ionizing dose (TID) testing, and real-time event detection, specialized in memory devices and FPGAs. Sold to space agencies, primes, and component manufacturers requiring component qualification for classic and New Space applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 failure-free years in orbit accumulated across all mission categories
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SOPHOS Consortium (DSI, Unibap, Teletel, DLR, University of Lübeck)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022SOPHOS is a 3-year Horizon Europe project coordinated by DSI, started November 1, 2022. The project aims to develop enabling technology for high-end data processing, compression, and storage on-board satellites for SAR applications. DSI coordinates the consortium of 5 partners from 3 European countries.
• 6G-TakeOff Consortium (23 partners: Deutsche Telekom, Airbus, DLR, Fraunhofer FOKUS, Rohde&Schwarz, University of Bremen, and others)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 20226G-TakeOff is a 3-year study funded by BMWK, coordinated by Deutsche Telekom and started September 1, 2022. The project aims to develop a revolutionary 3D 6G architecture combining ground stations, flying platforms, and satellites. DSI's contribution is the prototypical development of a high-performance, dynamically reconfigurable Transceiver Board for flying network nodes, leveraging expertise in PHY/MAC-Layer domain.
• DR.BEAT Consortium (DSI, PLRI, UID)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021DR.BEAT is a 20-month DLR project coordinated by DSI, started November 1, 2021, funded by BMWK. The project aims to advance wearable Ballistocardiography (BCG) technology for astronaut health monitoring. DSI develops a miniaturized BCG sensor system demonstrator and provides technical support for measurements.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborative R&D projects including DR.BEAT (health monitoring), HERA mission, ADHA-2 modular avionics standard development, ATCOS (commercial parts reliability testing), VamEx (Mars exploration robots), TRIPLE-nanoAUV 2 (underwater vehicles), and AIComS (AI for satellite 5G communications).
• ESA (European Space Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA is DSI's primary direct customer and strategic partner for multiple flagship missions including JUICE, PLATO, HERA, ClearSpace-1, Comet Interceptor, Gateway I-HAB, and Copernicus program (CO2M, LSTM, CRISTAL, CIMR, CHIME). DSI holds direct prime contracts with ESA as well as subcontracts through ESA's system integrator partners.
• Airbus Defence and SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus is both a customer and strategic partner for space electronics development. DSI collaborated on MetOp-SG CDPU (ESA box-level project, 2015) and other ESA missions. Airbus participates in the 6G-TakeOff consortium alongside DSI.
• Thales Alenia SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAS partnered with DSI on the ARTEMIS Lunar Gateway I-HAB (International Habitat) module, marking DSI's first involvement in human spaceflight. DSI designs, develops, manufactures and qualifies the PDHU for the habitat module.
• Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeyond Gravity partnered with DSI on the JUICE SSMM (Solid State Mass Memory) project in 2015, where DSI became a direct prime contractor for ESA through this collaboration.
• OHB System AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHB has been a long-term partner since 1999, collaborating on KOMPSAT2, SAR-Lupe, EnMAP, and PROBA-V DHU. DSI developed electronics boxes, crypto boards, and DHU units for OHB's satellite platforms.
• Redwire SpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRedwire Space collaborated with DSI on the HERA MMU (Mass Memory Unit) project in 2020 for ESA's asteroid deflection demonstration mission.
• ClearSpacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClearSpace commissioned DSI to design, develop, and manufacture the On-Board Data Handling Unit (OBDH) for the ClearSpace-1 mission, ESA's pioneering active debris removal demonstration. DSI's OBDH is described as one of the most critical units of the satellite.
• JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAXA led the Hayabusa2 mission to asteroid Ryugu, on which DSI designed and manufactured the dual-redundant onboard computer for the MASCOT lander developed by DLR in collaboration with CNES.
• CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNES collaborated with DLR on the MASCOT lander, for which DSI provided the dual-redundant onboard computer, as part of JAXA's Hayabusa2 mission.
• KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKARI partnered with DSI for KOMPSAT-7, KOMPSAT-7A, and EOIRSat programs, DSI's first mass-produced products. DSI designed, developed, manufactured and qualified the data storage and compression equipment, producing 30 flight modules plus 20 engineering/qualification modules.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLR collaborated with DSI on the MASCOT asteroid lander OBC (2012), DSI's first asteroid lander mission, and the HERA mission MMU (2020).
• European Union / European Commission (Copernicus Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe European Union's flagship Earth observation program, coordinated by the European Commission in partnership with ESA and EU Member States. DSI won 5 out of 6 projects related to mass memory and instrument control units in the second generation Copernicus missions (2019), including CO2M, LSTM, CRISTAL, CIMR, and CHIME.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SITAEL: Italian supplier of small-satellite platforms and avionics including on-board computers and data handling systems. Comparable to DSI because SITAEL targets a similar mix of institutional and commercial European missions with radiation-tolerant electronics.
• Frontgrade Technologies: US-based supplier of space-qualified electronics including on-board computers, memory, and data handling systems. Like DSI, Frontgrade sells radiation-hardened avionics to primes and government agencies and is listed on DSI's customer logo wall, indicating overlap on supplier panels.
• Beyond Gravity: Swiss-headquartered space electronics supplier (formerly RUAG Space) that produces on-board computers, mass memory units, and payload data handling systems for ESA and commercial primes. DSI and Beyond Gravity partnered on JUICE SSMM but compete head-to-head in similar subsystem categories for European missions.
• ALTER Technology: European supplier of radiation testing, screening, and space-grade component services. Directly comparable to DSI's radiation testing line and a peer for in-orbit reliability and qualification services revenue.

Broad incumbents

• Airbus Defence and Space: Largest European space prime and DSI's biggest customer on programs like MetOp-SG CDPU. Comparable because Airbus produces in-house avionics for many of its satellites where DSI also competes; a relevant broad incumbent for evaluating DSI's positioning in the supplier ecosystem.
• Thales Alenia Space: European prime with extensive space electronics capabilities; partners with DSI on Gateway I-HAB PDHU but also builds its own avionics and data handling subsystems. Comparable as both a customer and a competitor for ESA payload data handling work.
• OHB System: Major European satellite prime with internal avionics capabilities and a long-standing DSI relationship (KOMPSAT2, SAR-Lupe, EnMAP, PROBA-V). Comparable because OHB both competes with DSI for in-house subsystem work and procures DSI-designed boards on the same platforms.

Emerging players

• AAC Clyde Space: UK/Sweden smallsat avionics and platform supplier targeting commercial constellations. Comparable to DSI's New Space segment for tracking margin pressure and volume pricing dynamics.
• Kongsberg NanoAvionics: Lithuania/Norway-based smallsat bus and avionics provider competing in the commercial constellation segment DSI is targeting with its 'New Space' offering. Comparable for assessing how DSI's premium heritage competes with commercial-grade subsystem economics.

Regional players

• Tesat-Spacecom: German supplier of space communication payloads and electronics; DSI lists Tesat as a partner on the AIComS project and the two compete for similar institutional aerospace electronics budgets in Germany.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DSI_aerospace
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dsi-aerospace

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about DSI Aerospace