OHB and Astroscale Partner on Space Security Initiatives

OHB SE and Astroscale Holdings Inc. have formalized their intent to collaborate on bolstering space security and in-orbit servicing capabilities through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, announced during a German-Japanese industry event in Tokyo alongside Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Asia trip, establishes a framework for joint activities leveraging the strengths of both companies.

The partnership focuses on addressing the increasing strategic importance of safeguarding space-based infrastructure, vital for communications, navigation, Earth observation, and security applications. OHB and Astroscale will explore combining expertise in satellite systems engineering, mission operations, space domain awareness, and in-orbit services. Cooperation will particularly center on links between OHB’s German operations and Astroscale’s UK entity, with potential expansion into Japan and other international markets.

Markus Moeller, CSO at OHB SE, emphasized the necessity of protecting space infrastructure, stating that combining OHB’s expertise with Astroscale’s in-orbit servicing capabilities will allow for innovative approaches to secure space operations. Nobu Okada, founder and CEO of Astroscale, highlighted the need for international partnerships in addressing complex space security challenges, noting that sovereign capabilities alone are insufficient.

The MoU reflects a broader trend towards international collaboration within the space sector, driven by the increasing complexity of missions and emerging challenges that necessitate close cooperation among trusted industrial partners. By pooling complementary expertise, OHB and Astroscale aim to advance technologies that enhance the safety, resilience, and long-term usability of the space environment.

With space infrastructure becoming increasingly critical to modern society, this partnership represents a step toward ensuring its continued security and operability amid growing geopolitical and technological complexities.