OHB Sweden Awarded Contract by SWISSto12 for Six Electric Propulsion Systems for GEO Satellite Constellation
OHB Sweden, part of the German OHB Group, and a leading European space technology provider announced that it has secured a major contract from SWISSto12, one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies and leading manufacturer of advanced satellite systems and radiofrequency (RF) products.
Under the contract, OHB Sweden will deliver six advanced electric propulsion (EP) systems for the innovative HummingSat platform – the world’s first commercial SmallSat for geostationary orbit (GEO). This collaboration represents an important contribution that reinforces European-wide space sovereignty and strengthens the continent’s leadership and competitiveness in the global space economy. The propulsion systems will enable precise orbital maneuvers, station-keeping in GEO, relocation from one position on the geostationary arc to another, and extended mission lifetimes. This system supports SWISSto12’s mission to provide agile, cost-effective solutions for evolving telecommunications markets. With the shift from traditional broadcast services to broadband connectivity, HummingSat’s high performance and lower cost of build and launch are reshaping the landscape of the GEO market.
“This contract is a milestone for us because it confirms our capabilities in the electric propulsion area and further develops our industrialization efforts. Our commitment is to deliver a full sub-system every second month, starting mid-2026. This is exactly the type of project for which our new facility has been conceived.” said Fredrik Sjöberg, Deputy Managing Director of OHB Sweden
“This program exemplifies European-wide collaboration across Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany, reinforcing European space and satellite sovereignty. HummingSat is the world’s first commercial SmallSat for GEO. Its high performance combined with lower cost of build and launch will transform the GEO market, enabling telecom operators and nation states to adopt new agile satellite solutions that will better connect the world.” added Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12
This contract is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the HummingSat Partnership Project with funding contributions from the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
This contract highlights the growing importance of European cooperation in space technology and the commitment to delivering sustainable, high-performance solutions for global connectivity. OHB Sweden’s advanced EP systems will play a critical role in ensuring the success of SWISSto12’s groundbreaking HummingSat program.