Can you tell us about the history of your company and the relationship between OHB Italia and OHB SE?

Manfred Fuchs, an entrepreneur of Italian origins, owned OHB System, an SME in Germany, and later acquired Carlo Gavazzi Space in Italy. With Mr. Fuchs’ vision, Carlo Gavazzi Space, now known as OHB Italia, became a capable designer and integrator of small satellites and scientific payloads. OHB System evolved into a large European group and is now the third Large System Integrator for ESA. Although OHB Italia belongs to the group, it remains independent in terms of strategy, management, and operations.

Could you elaborate on OHB Italia’s areas of operation in Italy?

OHB Italia has the capability to realize end-to-end satellite missions, from design to procurement, integration, fabrication, qualification, launch, and operations management. Our second main area of activities is the development of sensors and scientific instruments. While we are based in Italy, we operate within the European context, and our main customers are the Italian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, and the Italian MOD. We also collaborate with research institutes such as the CNR, the National Astrophysics Institute, and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics.

What are the future trends in space technology that we can expect to see in the near future?

Looking back at the space industry’s origins in the 1960s, it was led by an elite engineering group that required huge public funding that only the USA and the USSR could afford, which fueled the industry’s development. Today, we have giants like Airbus and Thales, but we also have smaller, high-tech companies. I see signs of a revolution in which the space industry will undergo further mutation through a radical change in the manufacturing approach, inducing a drop in costs. We also need to think in terms of public benefits: the new services and data that can be made available by the new generation of satellites.

Is there a greater need to send more satellites into space?

There are many objects in space that need to be better exploited. However, this does not happen mainly because the funding mechanisms are not based on solid business ground. I believe that space will continue to progress, but it will no longer be paid for only with taxpayers’ money but by motivated entrepreneurs with long-term sustainability plans. Nowadays, most satellites are still manufactured as unique objects. I would like to introduce a new concept of production facilities for satellites, which will drastically change the manufacturing process with time and cost benefits. In two years, we should be in full production. The factory would aim to produce fifty small satellites a year.

Is OHB Italia participating in space removal projects?

We are not directly involved in any removal project, but we are pursuing research and development opportunities to address various technology needs. In the meantime, we are focusing on debris observation from the ground and are developing a high-performance telescope.