German Orbital Systems

German Orbital Systems (GOS), a spin-off from TU Berlin, develops standardized and modular satellite platforms and components based on the "New Space" philosophy. The company offers standard satellite platforms:

1) The D-STAR ONE platform is a specific 3U platform that has flight heritage and features active/passive AOCS, designed for basic applications such as Earth observation, student projects, and scientific experiments

2) RAVEN platform, a 6U platform with proven flight heritage, suited for more advanced missions like scientific experiments.

3) Slot platform, a 16U platform with a developed and tested engineering model, catering to missions requiring higher capabilities such as in-orbit verification and ADS-B services.

It also offers the 3U GROOVE satellite platform, designed as a shared satellite mission that can accommodate up to 10 users on a single platform bus. This platform is designed to serve as a proof-of-concept, allowing customers to validate their concepts at a reduced cost while providing valuable feedback for further improvements. GOS satellite platforms are adaptable and can be modified during the project lifecycle to meet evolving customer needs.

GOS also manufactures a range of nanosatellite components essential to satellite missions. These include standard CubeSat components such as battery packs, electrical power systems, on-board computers, solar panels, structures and solar sensors. In addition, it provides specific components tailored for satellites, such as cameras and UHF transceivers, including dual-band options such as HISPICO. Its approach integrates commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components with standardized processes, enabling the rapid deployment of satellites within six months from contract signature to launch readiness. This strategy helps maintain competitive pricing while meeting the diverse needs of satellite missions across multiple applications.

Key customers and partnerships

In December 2018, GOS collaborated with Exolaunch,a German launch services provider, to develop a family of CubeSat separation and deploying systems. As of May 2022, the companies had successfully launched more than 100 small satellites. Additionally, GOS had independently assembled, tested, verified, and launched 11 commercial CubeSats and one microsatellite as of June 2024.