Würzburg/ Freiburg. The automotive supplier Brose is planning to enter the space and satellite sector. In October, the family-owened company formed strategic partnerships with Fraunhofer-Institute for High-Speed-Dynamics EMI, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC and the BERLIN SPACE Consortium (BERLIN SPACE). The goal is to develop small satellites, key components for space technology, and highly efficient electric drive systems together, 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 Brose 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, CEO of Brose SE.

The partners also emphasize the strategic importance of this collaboration: Prof. Dr. Frank Schäfer, Head of Business Unit Space at 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.«

These strong partnerships help to close Europe's industrial capability gap in the NewSpace sector and ensure access to cutting-edge technologies in international competition.