Brose is forming partnerships for a presence in the space and satellite sectors

Automotive supplier Brose is planning to enter the space and satellite sector. To this end, the family-owned company entered into strategic partnerships with leading research institutes and companies in October: the Fraunhofer Institute EMI, the Fraunhofer ISC and the BERLIN SPACE Consortium (BERLIN SPACE). The aim of the cooperation is to jointly develop small satellites and key components for space technology as well as highly efficient electric drive systems and to manufacture them in industrial series production.

Through these partnerships, Brose combines its decades of experience producting mechatronic components and systems for automobiles with its partners’ scientific and technological expertise. In addition to infrastructure, Fraunhofer also contributes comprehensive know-how in satellite technologies and materials. BERLIN SPACE is developing electric Hall-effect propulsion systems that move small satellites in space in a particularly efficient and durable manner.

Together, they aim to small satellites ranging from 50 to 500 kg, bring new technologies to market faster, and strengthen the international competitiveness of Germany as a space location. Series production will be set up at the Würzburg plant.

Thanks to our cooperation with Fraunhofer and BERLIN SPACE we can transfer our extensive technological expertise to the space sector. This allows us to develop innovative solutions for the industrial series production of satellites and propulsion systems at our Würzburg location, says Raymond Mutz.

Our partners also emphasize the strategic importance of this collaboration: Prof. Dr. Frank Schäfer, Fraunhofer EMI: Combining research expertise and industrial manufacturing competence creates the basis for the efficient, scalable production of satellite components.

Norbert Pilz, CEO BERLIN SPACE: Our Hall-effect drives are ideal for small satellites – they are compact, precisely controllable and energy-efficient. With Brose, we can mass-produce this technology to industrial standards.

Through these strong partnerships, Brose is playing a key role in closing Europe's industrial capability gap in the NewSpace sector and ensuring access to cutting-edge technologies in the global marketplace.