SpaceLink names OHB preferred tenderer for satellite manufacturing

SpaceLink, a wholly owned US subsidiary of Canberra-based Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited, has selected German satellite manufacturer OHB Systems AG as the preferred tenderer for its initial constellation of four high-capacity optical relay satellites. The total value of the Contract is expected to exceed $300 million.

The optical relay satellites are Medium Eearth Orbit (MEO) devices designed to take signals from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites with a relatively low revisit rate and relay them quickly back to earth

“Following an in-depth review of multiple manufacturing proposals, we found that OHB excelled at meeting our requirements,” said David Bettinger, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceLink. “OHB provided an advanced technical solution, based on its experience with Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites, processed payloads, and secure optical communications.”

Negotiations with OHB have reached an advanced stage and the relevant terms and conditions of the Contract are expected to be legally finalized in the coming week. In addition, OHB intends to invest $25 million into SpaceLink as the cornerstone investor in the first tranche of financing for the project.

OHB System AG is one of the three leading space system providers in Europe. The company belongs to the listed high tech group OHB SE, employing around 3000 specialists and system engineers on European space programs and has sites in Bremen and Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich.

SpaceLink aims to deliver a new age of space commerce, exploration, environmental awareness, and security. The Always in Sight™ data relay system provides global coverage to empower space system operators to maximize use of their assets. SpaceLink Corporation is headquartered in the Washington DC area and has offices in Silicon Valley, California.