HPS, Munich (2026)

27/05/2026

💫 In April 2029: RAMSES Encounters APOPHIS During Its Earth Flyby - HPS supplies the antenna for Europe’s second iconic asteroid mission
Contract Signature between OHB-IT and HPS-DE on-site SmallSat Europe Conference on May 26 💫

In 2029, the asteroid Apophis will pass Earth at a distance of only 32,000 km. ESA’s RAMSES mission, built by OHB Italia, will closely study the asteroid and analyze how Earth’s gravity affects its structure and surface.

As with the HERA mission, antenna specialist HPS GmbH has been selected to provide the spacecraft antenna — the critical communications link between RAMSES and scientists on Earth.

HPS’s X-band module is a custom-designed horn antenna made from a high-strength yet lightweight aluminum alloy, offering excellent radiation and gain characteristics. For HPS, drawing on experience from major antenna projects such as the Euclid mission (ESA, with TAS-Spain as direct customer), Heinrich Hertz (DLR, with TESAT/OHB as direct customer) and HERA (ESA, with OHB-Bremen as direct customer), this antenna falls within a well-established field of technology.

With the contract now in place and the antenna concept defined during the preliminary phases, the industrial partners are moving into the detailed design and manufacturing of the Ramses flight hardware. Next year, these components will undergo environmental and functional testing to ensure they are fit for launch and for operation in deep space.

Ramses is scheduled to launch as early as spring 2028 and reach Apophis in time for its April 2029 flyby, enabling scientists to observe the asteroid before, during, and after the event. This ESA mission supports the core objectives of the Space Safety Programme by improving knowledge of how near-Earth objects behave under external influences and by further developing strategies to defend against potentially hazardous asteroids.

On Tuesday, May 26, Roberto Aceti (CEO OHB-Italia) and Ernst K. Pfeiffer (CEO HPS GmbH, Germany) celebrated the contract signature on-site the SmallSat Europe Conference in Amsterdam (NL).

🗨️ Ernst K. Pfeiffer “It is fantastic to be part of this exceptional mission, and it is an honor that our antenna will transmit these highly fascinating data back to Earth. Images of the asteroid — perhaps even with Earth in the background — will be seen around the world. It is great that Germany decided to participate in this mission at the CM25 conference in November, as this now enables SMEs to contribute their high-tech capabilities as well. I am pleased to further expand now our cooperation with the prime contractor OHB Italia.”

🗨️ Roberto Aceti, CEO of OHB Italia: “This contract further consolidates the cooperation between OHB Italia and HPS GmbH on advanced space systems. The Medium Gain Antenna is an important element of the RAMSES mission communication chain and its development reflects the value of specialized European industrial capabilities in support of complex exploration missions.”

19/05/2026

🎤 Meet us! 🎤
Meet our Collegues and our CEO Dr. Ernst K. Pfeiffer and don’t miss HPS technical stage presentations on “Parametric Study of Deorbit Sail Sizes for Small Satellites” (Germar Puttich) and “UDAN: A Compact Deployable UHF Antenna Enabling High-Gain Links for CubeSats” (Dr. Carlos Garcia Mora)

📍Small Sat Europe
26. – 28. Mai 2026
Amsterdam, Niederlande

12/05/2026

🚀 HPS Romania delivers major -Item for the - 🇷🇴🛰️

HPS S.R.L. Bucharest has successfully delivered the Transport Container for the Deployable Reflector Assembly (DRA) of the CIMR mission within Europe’s Copernicus programme — just in time and according to the demanding mission requirements.

📦 A mobile cleanroom for Europe’s next flagship reflector:
The specially engineered transport container protects the sensitive deployable reflector during transfers between integration at Large Space Structures GmbH (LSS) and various European test centres.

📏 Key facts about the container:
• Dimensions: 3 x 2.1 x 2.2 m
• Net weight: 1,662 kg
• Materials: anodised aluminium & passivated stainless steel
• Designed as a fully controlled “mobile cleanroom” environment.

⚙️ Advanced protection system
To protect the reflector against shocks and vibrations, the container integrates:
• Six high-performance cable spring isolators
• Dual spring damping technology
• Hermetic sealing and ECSS-compliant cleanliness standards.

🛠️ Highly complex engineering- & MAI- effort:
The DRA-container-development included:
• Coordination with 36 international suppliers
• Integration of 1,959 component references
• Handling of individual parts up to 551 kg
• Full traceability of all components.

⚒️Extensive qualification campaign:
The transport container underwent comprehensive testing, including:
✅ Dimensional & weight verification
✅ Functional & handling inspections
✅ Load & drop tests
✅ Rain tests for hermetic sealing
✅ Electrical conductivity verification

⏱️Just in Time: Despite major logistical challenges and the demanding zero-defect requirement, the HPS-RO team delivered the system punctually before the first DRA transport operations to the first environmental test series.

Additionally, HPS-RO supplied 10 precision MGSE vibration adapters for qualification testing of the DRA. These adapters enable demanding shaker tests simulating rocket launch conditions and transfer extreme mechanical loads while ensuring high-quality test data.

🤝 CIMR-LDRS-MGSE Scope:
HPS Romania was contracted by HPS GmbH Germany — prime contractor to Thales Alenia Space Italy for the entire LDRS subsystem — to deliver the handling and vibration test MGSE for all LDRS subassemblies, including:
• Reflector
• Arm
• Complete LDRS subsystem

🌍 Through technical excellence, precision manufacturing and flawless supply chain management, the HPS-RO team is making an important contribution to Europe’s future environmental monitoring capabilities through the CIMR mission.

For more information please consult our homepage.

27/04/2026

🚀 KEAN geht in die finale Phase – Tragbare Bodenstation für hochmobile Konnektivität:

Was 2016 als visionäre Idee begann, nähert sich jetzt dem nächsten großen Meilenstein: KEAN, unsere kompakte entfaltbare Rucksack-Antenne für mobile Satellitenkommunikation, geht gemeinsam mit dem DLR Space Innovation Hub in die finale Entwicklungsphase.

🛰️ Kommunikation über GEO-Satelliten berall einsetzbar:
KEAN wurde für hochmobile zivile und hoheitliche Einheiten entwickelt, für Anwendungen von Expeditionen, internationale Medien, Spezialeinheiten. Ziel: bidirektionale Kommunikation von jedem Ort der Welt per Satellit.

💡 Technologie, ihrer Zeit voraus:
Gemeinsam mit unseren Partnern MTEX, BLACKWAVE, TU München und insbesondere der Universität der Bundeswehr München haben wir in den vergangenen Jahren mit Unterstützung aus ESA-ARTES und dem DLR-Raumfahrtprogramm ein Labormuster mit anspruchsvollen Anforderungen entwickelt:
✅ Konformität zu Betreibern wie EUTELSAT & INTELSAT
✅ Ku-Band (auch X-Band-fähig), 1,2 m Durchmesser, hohe Datenraten
✅ Komplettsystem unter 25 kg (inkl. Elektronik, Batterie, Stativ & Tragesystem)
✅ Betriebsbereit in nur 15 Minuten
✅ Innovative kybernetische Faltmechanik nach dem Prinzip von Blüten
✅ Serienfähige Komponenten und Produktionsprozesse
✅ Modularer Aufbau und skalierbare Größen.

🔬 Erfolgreich getestet in 2024/2025,
das Labormuster KEAN II bestand bereits:
• harte Link-Tests an der Universität der Bundeswehr München
• Link-Test mit dem deutschen SatCom-Satelliten Heinrich Hertz
• Handhabungstests im Gelände.
Ein großer Schritt Richtung vollwertigem mobilen Kommunikationssystem.

⚙️ 2026: Jetzt kommt KEAN III:

Mit Beauftragung vom 21. April 2026 durch den Space Innovation Hub (SIH) der Deutschen Raumfahrtagentur im DLR startet nun die finale Entwicklungsstufe:
🔹 Designoptimierung & weitere Gewichtsreduktion
🔹 Höhere Fertigungspräzision, insbesondere bei Leichtbau-Komposit-Lamellen
🔹 Integration robuster Elektronik (Modem, Konverter, Verstärker)
🔹 Standardisierte Leistungs- und Abnahmetests
🔹 Lieferung (nach 15 Monaten) eines Komplettsystems an Spezialkräfte der Polizei, für finale Praxistests.

🎯 Ziel:
Mit KEAN wollen wir genau zum Beginn der erwarteten erweiterten Nachfragewelle im Bereich mobiler Satellitenkommunikation 2027/2028 ein serienreifes Produkt für einen ganz bestimmten Nischenbereich bereitstellen.

💬 Unser CEO Dr. Ernst K. Pfeiffer:
„Wir sind besonders stolz, dass KEAN zu den ersten Projekten des neuen DLR Space Innovation Hub zählt. Nach vielen Jahren Entwicklung und kontinuierlicher Verbesserung sehen wir uns 2027 in einer starken Position für diesen Zukunftsmarkt. Großen Dank an das BMFTR, die DLR-Raumfahrtagentur und die Universität der Bundeswehr München für die Unterstützung auf diesem Weg.

21/03/2026

👥 Meet us at the Munich Space Summit
We are pleased to announce that our CEO Dr. Ernst K. Pfeiffer will be speaking at this year’s Munich Space Summit — contributing to one of the key industry discussions of the event.

📅 25 March | 16:45

🎤 KeyPanel 3: Innovation Spotlights – Industry Perspectives
Leading voices from across the space sector will discuss how industry is responding to a rapidly evolving geopolitical and technological landscape.

👥 Panelists include:
* Philip Thomas (ESA)
* Mattia Moscardino (GMV)
* Ernst K. Pfeiffer (HPS)
* Tyler Reid (Xona Space Systems)
* Victor Maier (The Exploration Company)
* Lukas Liesenhoff (Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions)

🚀 Why this matters
The panel follows the day’s strategic and geopolitical discussions and brings the industry perspective into focus — highlighting concrete solutions and joint approaches shaping the future of space.

📍 We look forward to insightful discussions and to connecting with partners, customers, and industry peers in Munich.

19/03/2026

HPS-MLI onboard LEO-PNT 🛰️

Three letters that keep our world running: PNT – Positioning, Navigation, Timing.
And with LEO-PNT, Europe is taking the next step, wheras OHB 🇩🇪 and GMV 🇪🇸 are developing an in-orbit demonstration with 4 satellites, in order to:
* Enhance Galileo signals
* Introduce new frequencies & signal structures
* Lay the groundwork for a future LEO-PNT constellation.

🌡️ Our role: Thermal protection of the performance in orbit.
We were entrusted in direct contract to OHB Bremen with the design, manufacturing and integration of the MLI for all four satellites. To ensure reliability in space, additional MLI-measures include:
* ITO coating for ATOX protection
* SLI for ESD protection of solar arrays.
This is exactly where we bring in our core strength: high-end thermal hardware for navigation, communication & science missions.

🤝 Built on trust:
Following our MLI-contribution to the HIVE mission, this project further strengthens our collaboration with OHB — and highlights how strong European SME supply chains deliver mission-critical performance.

🌍 REMARK: Sustainability matters within LEO-PNT.
We already delivered end 2025 to OHB four ADEO-N dragsail modules for the first LEO-PNT satellites.
Meaning:
* Automatic deorbiting after end-of-business
* Exceeding current debris mitigation standards
* Real contribution to safer orbits.

💡 Why all this matters:
LEO-PNT is more than a demo mission.
It’s a strategic building block for Europe’s non-dependent, next-generation navigation capabilities — powered by strong partnerships and reliable technology. On the past ESA CM25 in November, Germany, Spain and Italy have been the major contributors to this program for European resilience.

For more Information, please check our hompage, register NEWS.

06/03/2026

🚀 Federal Minister Dorothee Bär visits our Joint Venture HPtex in Münchberg

A great and lively meeting at HPtex GmbH in Münchberg, Upper Franconia. German Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bär visited our joint venture to learn more about our innovative space mesh technologies.

👥 High-level delegation
Alongside the Minister we welcomed several regional representatives, including:
* MdB Heiko Hain
* District Administrator Dr. Oliver Bär, LL.M.
* Mayoral candidate Thomas Schnurrer
* Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Ficker (Fraunhofer / University of Hof), an important partner since the early days of our mesh development.

🧵 Mesh technology made in Bavaria
Our ultra-fine metallic mesh is a success story originating from several ESA technology programs (TRP, GSTP, ARTES, EO).
Today it is already used for:
* Small deployable antennas
* Large Deployable Reflector Subsystems ( )
* Missions such as Copernicus .

🏭 10 years of development – global customers today
Our engagement in Münchberg began 10 years ago with Fraunhofer.
In 2020, HPS and IPROTEX founded HPtex as a joint venture.
Today HPtex supplies highly specialized mesh solutions to customers in Europe, Asia and the US – with further innovations already in development.

🤝 Great exchange on site

The visit included welcome remarks, a technology presentation, a tour through the mesh production hall, and many opportunities for discussions with our CEO Dr. Ernst K. Pfeiffer, the CEO of IPROTEX, Mr. Timo Piwonski, and the CEO of HPtex, Mr. Peter Rauhut.

🙏 Many thanks to the teams of HPtex and IPROTEX® for the excellent preparation of this succ

More information here: https://www.hps-gmbh.com/en/category/2026-en/

27/02/2026

🥁 HPS is hiring 🥁
Our signs point clearly to GROWTH ↗️ — strong demand in the institutional, commercial & defence markets 🌍

Our products:
Reflector Antennas | Large Deployable Reflector Subsystems | Small Deployable Antennas | Deorbit / Deployable Sail Modules | Thermal Hardware | MGSE

📍 Munich downtown:
• RF Engineer
• AIT Engineer
• PA/QA Engineer
• Project Manager
• CAD / Mechanical Engineer
• Structural Analysis Engineer.

🛰️ HPS is a non-dependent German SME, 25 years strong, ~20 Mio. EUR turnover in 2025, 90 employees (incl. HPtex & HPS Romania).

📩 Applications directly to:
[email protected]
More info: Homepage → “Career”

05/02/2026

🚀 CIMR–LDRS Flagship Project for European Spacetech 🚀
(CIMR-LDRS 8m EQM Assembly Story – Episode 4/12: “Arm Component Testing”)

Before you assemble… you test. A lot.

Before Boom 3 could take its place in the CIMR-LDRS 8m EQM, it had to prove it is ready for launch and for life in space. After successfully completing TVAC cycling at AAC in September, we moved on to proof load testing in December internally at HPS. The objective? To verify the structural integrity of the adhesive bonds between the CFRP tube and the metal end fittings under representative launch and mission loads.

But we didn’t stop there.

Under defined load cases, we also measured deformations to allow our FEM team to correlate their models with real hardware behaviour — closing the loop between simulation and reality. Armed with FEM predictions, our design team developed dedicated BTS-MGSE. And no — BTS does not refer to the Korean boy band (sadly 😉), but to Bending, Torsion and Stiffness. The MGSE enables five different bending and torsion load cases per arm segment. Each test clamps the segment at one end while the free end is deflected via a threaded rod, with movements precisely measured at multiple locations. (see bottom image)

After a slightly bumpy start, testing ran smoothly.
No damage detected in any load case.
Arm segment validated for mission loads.

To further support stiffness correlation, we followed up with a modal test last week. The boom was instrumented with accelerometers and freely suspended — because in space testing, lasers, reference frames and coordinate systems are everything. (see top right image). After careful excitation (yes, with a hammer — carefully), the resulting vibrations were recorded and converted into frequency spectra using Python-based analysis. In a way… this was the first time our arm went airborne. (see top left image)

WE LOVE PROGRESS! 😊

Next ups:
- finishing the assembly of Arm Segment 3 at HPS,
- TRR Arm-hinges at nanoSPACE.

Stay tuned — the assembly story continues.

HPS, 05.02.2026

Remark: LDRS: Large Deployable Reflector Subsystem; our customer chain: TAS-Italy / ESA; Program: Copernicus-CIMR.

23/12/2025

🚀HPS GmbH - 25 Years “The Team to Trust”🚀
A quarter century of space technology from Munich.

In 2025, HPS GmbH proudly celebrated its 25th anniversary. What started in 2000 as a small, highly specialized SME, has grown — through its own strength — into a leading European supplier of space equipment and subsystems for institutional, commercial, and defense customers.

🛰️ 25 Years of Trusted Space Expertise!
From precision antennas, mechanics, thermal subsystems, and lightweight structures to flagship contributions such as
• LDRS for Copernicus CIMR
• HGA-Antenna for HERA
• Signal intelligence antenna arrays
• MGSE series pre-development for solar arrays for IRIS²
• Active debris mitigation with ADEO dragsails.
HPS stands for reliable, mission-critical hardware at the highest level.

🌍 Driving European Technological Independence!
With innovations like Universal Space Mesh (USM) — ultra-fine, micrometer-precise metal meshes produced at the joint-venture HPTex GmbH in Upper Franconia — HPS enables applications in navigation, climate research, telecom, and Earth observation that were once sourced outside Europe.

🏭 Strong International Footprint!
• 🇩🇪 Munich (HQ): System expertise, subsystem-prime, equipment-supplier, non-dependent
• 🇷🇴 Bucharest (HPS Romania): Mechanical & thermal hardware, engineering & manufacturing, such as MLI and MGSE
• 🇩🇪 Münchberg (HPTex): Unique, tailor-made space mesh solutions for deployable antennas.
Together, 90+ specialists — and growing — are shaping the future of European spaceflight.

💬 Dr.-Ing. Ernst K. Pfeiffer, CEO:
“Supported by ESA and national technology programs, we have grown organically and independently. Today, we are scaling for serial markets while investing consistently e.g. in sustainable solutions — especially to avoid space debris in LEO. We’ve achieved a lot, and we see even more ahead.”

THANK YOU ALL!

✨ On this occasion, we would like to thank you for your trust and for being with us over the past 25 years of HPS, whether on short or long-haul routes, as a customer, partner, subcontractor, or employee.

👉 Without YOU, we would not be where we are today!!!
🎄 Wishing you a blessed Christmas, calm days of holidays, and a successful, peaceful 2026.

📍 Munich | 23 December 2025

HPS

27/05/2026

19/05/2026

12/05/2026

27/04/2026

21/03/2026

19/03/2026

06/03/2026

27/02/2026

05/02/2026

23/12/2025

Adresse

Telefon

Webseite

Benachrichtigungen

Service Kontaktieren

Verknüpfungen

Teilen

Kategorie