Spectrum Astro and OHB-System Form Alliance for International Space and Missile Defense Programs
Spectrum Astro
and OHB-System announced today that they signed an Agreement To Cooperate
(ATC) to support international space programs and opportunities, specifically
in the area of missile defense.
Through this agreement, two of the world’s most innovative and cost-
effective aerospace and missile defense companies are forming a business
alliance that will provide an effective and productive mid-tier alternative to
the larger international aerospace alliances.
“We believe this alliance will enable innovative and transformational
solutions on international space programs by advancing state-of-the-art
products and services to our customers,” said W. David Thompson, Spectrum
Astro President and CEO. “OHB’s legacy of success mirrors Spectrum Astro in
providing on-time, on-cost performance and positions us for the emerging
global space and missile defense business environments.”
“This transatlantic alliance between Spectrum Astro and OHB-System opens
for our medium sized companies an unprecedented opportunity for international
cooperation and expansion. Our joint effectiveness will add innovative aspects
to future space and missile defense programs,” stated Prof. Manfred Fuchs,
OHB-System President and CEO.
Since its founding in 1988, Spectrum Astro has had a very successful
history of performance in the manufacture and systems integration of a number
of space and missile defense programs. The company is the principal
contractor for the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) for the Missile
Defense Agency (MDA). Spectrum Astro is also providing system engineering and
spacecraft bus development for the MDA’s Space Tracking and Surveillance
System (STSS).
In January 2003, the company launched Coriolis, a complex, fully redundant
satellite for the Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program and Space and
Naval Warfare Systems Command. Coriolis was the seventh unique, high-
performance satellite designed and manufactured by Spectrum Astro. All seven
missions have successfully operated on-orbit. The company is currently
performing on four all-new space missions including the Swift and Gamma-ray
Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) missions for NASA; the
Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) for the DoD’s
Space Test Program; and NFIRE.
OHB-System is one of Europe’s most progressive and innovative aerospace
companies. Since 1985, OHB has participated in a number of key German and
European satellite programs, including the German Ministry of Defense’s SAR
Lupe Program. OHB-System has completed the SAR-Lupe Program’s critical design
review and is now producing a five-satellite synthetic aperture radar
constellation.
OHB-System AG is a medium-sized very prosperous space systems company
belonging to the European OHB Technology AG group, which is largely privately
held. It employs more than 300 employees in the areas of space technology and
security, telematics and satellite services.
OHB-System AG specializes in space and security applications. The
company’s headquarters at the Bremen Technology Park are home to highly
qualified scientists and engineers working on numerous national and
international projects related to small satellites, manned space flight as
well as security and reconnaissance technologies. The experience and
knowledge gained from numerous projects enables OHB-System for the
responsibility over large and complex civil, commercial and defense space
programs like SAR-Lupe. For more information, visit www.ohb-technology.de
and/or www.ohb-system.de.
Spectrum Astro is a privately held, rapidly growing high technology
company, specializing in the design, development, integration, test, and
production of high performance satellites and space-based satellite systems
and subsystems for sophisticated defense, science, and commercial
opportunities. The company is headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona and maintains
additional offices in Los Angeles CA, Pasadena CA, Tucson AZ, Colorado Springs
CO, Herndon VA, and Washington D.C. For more information, visit
www.spectrumastro.com.
