SpaceLink selects OHB as preferred tenderer for satellite manufacturing contract

SpaceLink, the company building the communications superhighway for the space economy, announced it has reached a significant milestone in the manufacture and launch of the initial constellation of four high-capacity optical relay satellites. Following a comprehensive tender process, leading satellite manufacturer, OHB Systems AG, has been selected as the preferred tenderer for the initial constellation.

“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.”

The parties are currently in advanced negotiations in relation to a contract for the manufacture and delivery of the initial constellation and expect to sign an 'authorization to proceed' next week. An authorization to proceed is the legal basis for the commencement of the project, and the finalization of the contract. The total value of the contract is expected to exceed US$300 million.

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 US$25 million into SpaceLink as the cornerstone investor in the first tranche of financing for the project.