OHB Italia SpA HOME PROFILE MISSION CAREERS CONTACTS ABOUT US OHB Italia SpA provides the user community with solutions to lower the cost of first class science and application missions by: Exploiting the full potential of small and medium size satellites. Exploiting new orbital and transportation systems. Exploiting advanced technologies that are turned into high performance products for space applications. Management conditions Download Management conditions ISO Certification Download Official Certificate UNI EN ISO 9001:2008 Download Certificate EN 9100:2016 PRESS Nano-sat EAGLET 1 launch targeted next autumn – July 2018 The EAGLET 1 satellite, the first nano-sat prototype for Earth Observation and maritime surveillance from OHB Italia is ready for launch. EAGLET 1 is a 3U+CubeSat satellite which will be placed in sun-synchronous orbit at 575 km altitude; it embarks two payloads: a high resolution optical payload which will acquire panchromatic images; a payload, able to receive and rely to the ground the AIS signals (ship position, track, destination and other data) transmitted by vessels in the area covered by the satellite. The EAGLET 1 launch will take place from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US, on-board a Falcon 9 launcher in SSO-A mission from SpaceX. The launch window has been fixed between September 30 and October 30, 2018. The EAGLET 1 satellite will be located in the Lower Fry Flyer (MPC) inside the Falcon 9 fairing and its release into orbit will take place in the last phase of mission, after the release of the primary load and the first release of secondary payloads. OHB Italia inaugurates a new Cleanroom facility – 25th June 2018 OHB Italia has inaugurated a new Integration and Manufacturing Facility in clean environment adjacent to the headquarter building in Milan. The official inauguration ceremony was held on June 25th, 2018 in the presence of the President of the Italian Space Agency, Roberto Battiston, representatives from the European Space Agency and from the industries and the local authorities. This new facility is operational since June 2018 and will increase OHB Italia capacity in space system production, in particular for satellite integration. For further information, click here. Come and visit OHB Italia at ILA, Germany – April 25th through 29th, 2018 OHB Italia is participating to the International Space exhibition ILA in Berlin from April 25th through April 29th, 2018. ILA is the industry’s largest exhibition in Europe, an event in which the latest innovations and developments in space are presented. ILA welcomes trade visitors from Wednesday 25 April to Friday 27 April, and will open its doors to the general public on the weekend, 28 April - 29 April. Come and visit us at the ILA Berlin ExpoCenter in Hall 4, Booth 201. ASIM successfully launched on April, 2nd 2018 and now switched on ! The space project ASIM (Atmospheric Space Interactions Monitoring), a mission of the European Space Agency (ESA), was successfully launched on April 2nd, 2018 at 4.30 pm local time (10.30 pm Central European Time) from Cape Canaveral in Florida. ASIM is an observatory which will be mounted outside on the International Space Station (ISS), and which will be used to study high-altitude electrical discharges in the stratosphere and mesosphere above severe thunderstorms, the so-called red sprites, blue jets, haloes, and elves, and monitor X-ray and Gamma-ray flashes. A knowledge which can be used to identify climate processes in the atmosphere and improve climate models for the Earth. On april 14th, ASIM was then installed on Columbus and the commissioning started with the switch on and various tests. In the frame of this mission, OHB Italia has been in charge of the support to system design, the system integration and validation, the software development and the data handling & power distribution unit development. For further information, click here (e dovresti inserire un link con il testo del file allegato “ASIM Launch”). For further information, click here OHB team awarded ESA study for resource utilization on the Moon – March 2018 OHB Italia has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the definition of the payload for the Lunar ISRU Demonstration Mission (ISRU DM), expected to be flown in 2025. The mission is part of ESA’s European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P). The purpose of the mission is to demonstrate the ISRU technologies (In-Situ Resource Utilization) required for exploiting the lunar soil in order to produce breathable oxygen and drinkable water. These technologies are key for the sustainable provision of the consumables needed for future human operations on lunar surface. A team led by OHB Italia SpA as prime and with subcontractors OHB System AG, Germany, Politecnico di Milano and the OHB spin-off BlueHorizon, Luxembourg, is in charge of the definition of the technology demonstrator payload. For further information, please read OHB SE Press Release. EUCLID mission: contract signed for the realization of two scientific instruments – February 2018 OHB Italia was awarded a contract from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) for the realization of two scientific instruments, the VIS (visual Imager) and NISP (near-infrared spectrometrer and photometer) instruments for the phase D of the Euclid mission. Euclid is an ESA medium class astronomy and astrophysics space mission. It was selected by ESA in October 2011 and its launch is planned for 2021. The Euclid mission aims at understanding why the expansion of the Universe is accelerating and what is the nature of the source responsible for this acceleration which physicists refer to as dark energy. Dark energy represents around 75% of the energy content of the Universe today, and together with dark matter it dominates the Universes’ matter-energy content. Both are mysterious and of unknown nature but control the past, present and future evolution of Universe. OHB Italia part of the EU Horizon 2020 Earth Observation ALERT project – February 2018 The activities of the Earth Observation ALERT project (Next Generation Satellite Processing Chain for Rapid Civil Alerts) from the Horizon 2020 program from the European Union have officially started! This project regards the development of key Earth Observation technologies for rapid civil alerts. The goal is to develop the next-generation satellite Earth Observation data and processing chain, based on a novel system architecture that moves key Earth Observation data processing elements from the ground segment to the satellite, with the objective of providing Earth Observation products to End User with very low latency. In the frame of this program, OHB-I will be responsible for the development of the innovative on-board processing avionics on which the other technologies will be integrated and tested. OHB-I will also provide its support in the integration, testing and verification phase, which will be performed at the company’s headquarters in Milan. The company will also provide its expertise in the definition of the application scenario and consequent requirement collection and definition. For further information, click here Prime Contractorship for OHB Italia in the frame of ESA BIOMASS Programme – January 2018 In the last weeks of 2017, OHB Italia signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the procurement of the BIOMASS structure platform. The BIOMASS satellite, due for launch in 2021, belongs to the 7th of ESA Earth Exploration missions and will provide essential information on carbon storage in global forests. In the frame of this contract, OHB Italia will lead a team of European subcontractors; the scope of work is the provision of the BIOMASS satellite structure including the design, development, production, integration, verification and testing of the equipment. Detection of new particles by AMS-02 – 23rd November 2017 The first clue of a new physics, i.e. the existence of particles which were unknown so far, just came from the stars. An abundance of particles was measured by AMS-02, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, instrument from the CERN in Ginevra, which has been installed outside the International Space Station to hunt for antimatter and dark matter since May 2011. This is an outstanding result for physics. OHB Italia significantly contributed to AMS-02 with the realization of the thermal control and the primary power supply. OHB Italia at Space Tech Expo Europe, Bremen, October 24-26, 2017 From October 24th to 26th, 2017, OHB Italia has participated to the Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany. This event takes place one time of the year and is Europe’s largest dedicated trade fair for Space matters. Anna Sirica, General Director of the Italian Space Agency, visiting OHB Italia, October 2017 On last October 19th, our company welcomed Anna Sirica, General Director at the Italian Space Agency (ASI), in our cleanrooms of Tortona and our headquarters of Milan. This visit was the occasion to give to the General Director an overview of OHB Italia facilities and internal competences. OHB Italia at the International Astronautical Congress in Australia, September 25-29, 2017 From September 25th to 29th, 2017, OHB Italia is participating to the IAC (International Astronautical Congress), at Adelaide in Australia. This event takes place one time of the year and gathers all space actors. Global, multidisciplinary and covering all space sectors and topics, it offers the latest space information, developments but above all contacts and potential partnerships. Successful launch of OPTSAT-3000 satellite August 1st, 2017 - OHB Italia providing launch services On August 1st, at 10.58 pm local time in French Guiana, the Earth Observation satellite OPTSAT-3000 was launched on board the VEGA flight VV10 from Kourou, French Guiana. OPTSAT-3000 is an Earth observation program for the Italian Ministry of Defence. It comprises a high-resolution optical satellite and a ground segment for in-orbit control, mission planning and the acquisition and processing of images. OPTSAT-3000 will allow national defence entities to acquire and use high-resolution images from any part of the globe. The OPTSAT-3000 system will be interoperable with Italy’s second –generation COSMO-SkyMed radar satellites. This will give the Italian Defence Ministry access to state-of-the-art technology, and ensure maximum operational capabilities because of the combined optical and radar data offered by the two systems. The OPTSAT-3000 system was provided by the Prime Contractor Telespazio while the satellite and ground control systems were built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), chosen by the Italian Ministry of Defence. OHB Italia was responsible for the launch contract and all the associated engineering activities. OHB Press Release Mission successfully completed for LISA Pathfinder – July 2017 On July 18th, 2017, LISA Pathfinder's mission has come to completion, successfully demonstrating ESA key technologies to look at gravitational waves and showing the possibility of a new approach for astronomy. Launched on December 3rd 2015, LISA Pathfinder, a mission of the European Space Agency, involving European space companies and research institutes from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US space agency NASA, started its science mission in March 2016, shortly after the announcement of the first direct detection of gravitational waves. In the frame of this mission, OHB Italia played a significant role starting from the initial technology development phases, back in 2001, which were carried out within the framework of ESA’s Technology Research Program (TRP) and culminated in November 2014 with the delivery of the inertial sensors. The inertial sensor successfully developed by OHB Italia, constitutes the heart of the high-precision metrology required for the observatory. It is the most sensitive inertial sensor ever manufactured enabling the detection and measurement of the extremely small movements induced by a passing gravitational wave. Furthermore, OHB Italia has subsequently provided a significant support to ESA instrument operations. On July 18th, a last command has been sent to conclude LISA Pathfinder's pioneering mission. The door is now open for future missions and ESA's Science Programme Committee selected the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), a space-based observatory of gravitational waves consisting of a constellation of three spacecraft, with launch planned for 2034. Signature of the launch contract for PRISMA Satellite, Le Bourget, June 19th, 2017 OHB Italia Spa and Arianespace announced the signature of the launch contract for the Italian Space Agency’s PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa) satellite. The launch will be carried out by a Vega rocket in 2018 from the Guiana Space Center, within the scope of a contract signed by OHB Italia Spa on behalf of the Italian Space Agency ASI. PRISMA is an Earth observation satellite fitted with an innovative electro-optical instrument, combining a hyperspectral sensor with a medium-resolution panchromatic camera. This type of combined instrument offers the advantages of conventional observation, based on the recognition of the geometric characteristics of a scene, coupled with the ability to determine the chemical and physical characteristics of the objects present in the scene, using the hyperspectral sensors. The scientific community and other users will be able to employ these capabilities for a number of applications, including environmental monitoring, resources management, identification and classification of crops, the fight against pollution, etc. Other applications are also possible, including homeland security. Built by OHB Italia on a dedicated platform hosting the Payload supplied by Leonardo Airborne and Space Systems, the PRISMA satellite will be placed into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 615 kilometers. It will weigh approximately 900 kilograms at launch. The Vega launch vehicle, in which Italy is playing a leading role, has been selected for PRISMA mission by the Italian Space Agency ASI. Visit OHB Italia at next Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, June 19-25 OHB Italia will be participating as an exhibitor at the International Air Show in Paris Le Bourget from June 19th through 25th. Visit our booth in Hall 2C, Booth C 318. OHB Italia at Pasadena Space Tech Expo, May 23-25, 2017 From May 23rd to 25th, 2017, OHB Italia is participating to the Space Tech Expo and Conference held at Pasadena, California, USA. This event is America’s engineering and manufacturing meeting place for space technology. OHB Italia participating to the 33rd Space Symposium, Colorado Springs, April 3-6, 2017 From April 3rd to 6th, 2017, OHB Italia is participating to the Space Symposium held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. This event is bringing t ogether space leaders from around the world to discuss, address and plan for the future of Space. This symposium is known as the most important space policy and program forum in the US. OHB Italia at PRISMA Workshop, 1-3 March 2017 From March 1st to 3rd, 2017, ASI Headquarters in Rome were hosting the workshop "PRISMA mission - hyperspectral national missions pioneer - data exploitation". During the event, OHB Italia, as leading company of the Italian industrial team for the PRISMA mission, gave a presentation to the scientific and industrial communities and to the users involved in remote sensing. In the frame of the PRISMA mission, planned to be launched mid-2018, OHB Italia is in charge of the system and satellite integration as well as the platform development. Hexapod, part of NASA SAGE III mission, was launched on February 19th, 2017 from Cape Canaveral. The SAGE III (Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment-III) instrument, funded by NASA as part of the EOS (Earth Observing System) program, was successfully launched for installation on the International Space Station (ISS) on last February 19th, 2017. The instrument was launched on-board a SpaceX Falcon vehicle and DRAGON spacecraft from the NASA launch site of Cape Canaveral. The SAGE III instrument, whose goal is to provide global, long-term measurements of key components of the Earth’s atmosphere, includes the Hexapod Pointing System (HPS) developed by ESA with a major contribution from OHB Italia. The HPS has an essential role since it acts as the legs of the payload, which keep the instrument level in orbit. It includes the Hexapod Mechanical Assembly (HMA) and the Hexapod Electronics Unit (HEU). In this frame, OHB Italia was in charge of the design manufacturing and test of HMA and HEU. Farewell SOLAR - 15th February 2017 The SOLAR payload, installed on the International Space Station outside the European module Columbus, has been deactivated today, after nine years of successful mission, well beyond the planned operational life of three years. Launched on February 7th, 2008 aboard the Shuttle Atlantis (mission STS122E), together with the EuTEF payload (entirely developed, assembled and tested by OHB Italia), SOLAR was installed on Columbus by EVA and immediately activated on February 15th. It is composed of three instruments for solar observation, installed on a two-axis rotating platform for Sun pointing with compensation of changes of ISS attitude and relative angle between Sun and ISS orbital plane. In the frame of this mission, OHB Italia was responsible for the whole development cycle of the payload Control Unit (CU), from the preliminary design to the delivery of one Ground Model, one Proto-Flight Model and a spare Flight Model. OHB Italia at Smallsat Symposium, Sillicon Valley, 6-8th February 2017. OHB Italia was among the main Space operators participating at Smallsat Symposium, which took place from last February 6th to 8th, 2017 in Mountain View, Sillicon Valley, USA. Launch of SmallGEO satellite: a success also for OHB Italia - January 2017 On last January 2017, the first telecommunications satellite from the SmallGEO programme was successfully launched from Kourou, French Guyana. SmallGEO was developed, integrated and tested in Germany by OHB System AG which acted as Prime Contractor. OHB Italia, which is one of OHB European sister companies, was also involved in the successful development and realization of SmallGEO and will also contribute to future SmallGEO platforms. In the frame of this first satellite, OHB Italia developed the payload management unit and supported system engineering of the thermal control subsystem. For further information, please read OHB SE Press Release From January 1st, 2017, CGS SpA Compagnia Generale per lo Spazio is OHB Italia SpA. CGS signed the conversion contract for the realization of the MWI instrument for the European MetOp-SG weather satellites – August 2016 CGS SpA Compagnia Generale per lo Spazio, and Airbus Defence and Space GmbH have signed the contract for the realization of the MicroWave Imager (MWI) instrument for the MetOp Second Generation (SG) weather satellites. The contract follows a successful preliminary design activity, the selection of all subcontractors and the price conversion to firm fixed for the realization phase. Read more Angelo Vallerani, new President of the Lombardia Aerospace Cluster - July 2016 Angelo Vallerani has been elected new President of the Lombardia Aerospace Cluster for the 3-year period 2016-2018. This is a significant role for Mr. Vallerani since the main goal of the Cluster is to develop and promote the aerospace industry of Lombardy through the creation of a network of big and Medium companies. Mr. Vallerani is currently Head of Initiatives at CGS, which is a Founding Member of the Cluster since 2009. CGS at the Berlin Air Show - June 2016 CGS has participated as Exhibitor together with its Mother Company OHB SE, to the International Air Show of Berlin on last June. With its numerous innovations and advanced technology the ILA Berlin Air Show demonstrates the capabilities and achievements of all areas of the global aerospace industry. CGS awarded ESA Contract for NEO Survey Telescope - February 2016 CGS has been awarded a contract by the European Space Agency for NEO Survey Telescope procurement, deployment and acceptance of full-scale integrated prototype. The overall objective of the work is to realize a prototype telescope with a full scale aperture on the basis of the design developed in the precursor activity relative to NEO Survey Telescope Detailed Design. The prototype telescope shall be fully integrated and will be eventually equipped with sixteen camera channel. The NEO network consists of four telescopes which will be subject of future procurement by the Agency. In this framework, CGS has been selected as the Prime Contractor and will therefore be in charge of performing all project management activities necessary to ensure the success of the project. ASTRO-H X-Ray Astronomy Satellite successfully launched - February 2016 ASTRO-H, the sixth of a series of X-ray observatory satellites developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was launched on Febr. 19th 2016 on board the Japanese H-IIA Launch Vehicle from the Tanegashima Space Center (Japan). ASTRO-H mission objective is the understanding of the structure and evolution of universe, including the explosion of stars, the origins of gigantic black holes in the centers of galaxies, and the nature of dark matter as a main component of our universe. The mission is a major international collaboration led by JAXA with over 70 contributing institutions in Japan, the US, Canada, and Europe. Major international partners include NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center as an important player in instruments development, Stanford University, SRON, Université de Genève, CEA/DSM/IRFU, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and European Space Agency (ESA), who contribute in critical areas of the hardware and software development. In 2011, CGS was awarded a contract with ESA to manage the detailed procurement activities for ESA hardware contributions to the ASTRO-H mission. In the 2011-2014 timeframe, CGS delivered several flight items including Loop Heat Pipes for the SXS cryostat, High Voltage Power Supplies for SGD, HXI and SXS instruments, high purity platinum and sputtering targets for Hard X-ray Telescope mirror coatings and scintillator crystals for anti-coincidence shields on high energy detectors HXI and SGD. LISA Pathfinder successfully launched - December 2015 LISA Pathfinder was successfully launched on December 3rd, 2015 on a Vega rocket from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. LISA Pathfinder is a mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and involves European space companies and research institutes from France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US space agency NASA. ESA created this mission to develop and prove technologies that cannot be verified on the ground. LISA Pathfinder is a decisive step towards the realization of the first space observatory for gravitational waves which will reshape our understanding of the Universe. CGS played a significant role in this mission since in November 2014, the company delivered the inertial sensors of the LISA Pathfinder mission to ESA. The inertial sensors build the heart of the high-precision metrology required for the observatory. 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