A German space organisation is set to hire 100 additional staff in Bristol after securing a £20 million contract for the most ambitious mission to Venus in space exploration history.
OHB SE Expands UK Operations
OHB SE, which established its UK subsidiary at the Bristol and Bath Science Park last year, will increase its British workforce over the next five years as it works on the EnVision mission. The company will also relocate to a larger, state-of-the-art facility at Aztec West.
The European Space Agency EnVision mission, scheduled for 2031, will study Venus's geology, atmosphere, and climate via satellite. Scientists aim to understand how the planet became uninhabitable and whether it once had an Earth-like climate.
OHB Space UK's Role
OHB Space UK will be responsible for the assembly, integration, and testing of the EnVision spacecraft, ensuring it is ready for qualification and operation in space.
Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB SE, commented: “Space is booming - and we are growing with it. With OHB Space UK, we are consistently pursuing our growth strategy and sustainably strengthening Europe’s space capabilities. I am very proud of the highly committed team in England and grateful for the close and trusted cooperation with our partners in the United Kingdom, Germany and across Europe.”
New Facility with Advanced Cleanroom
OHB Space UK's new base at Aztec West will feature one of the largest and most advanced cleanrooms in the UK. A cleanroom is a specialised, controlled environment that minimises contamination risk during manufacturing.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “I am thrilled that OHB Space UK are expanding and that the West of England will be making a real contribution to such an important mission in space. Back here on Earth, we are already home to the industries and engineers who make space flight possible, and with our four incredible universities we have a pipeline of talent for future jobs in this industry. With these new jobs, and more investment to come, it’s fair to say that the fastest-growing economy is really taking off!”
Government Praise
Space minister Liz Lloyd described OHB Space UK as a "real success story" for the British space sector. "In just 12 months, they have gone from a small team to a company with serious ambitions - up to 100 highly skilled jobs planned in Bristol and a world-class cleanroom facility taking shape," she said. "Signing this contract for a major role in ESA’s EnVision mission to Venus is a clear signal that OHB Space UK has already established itself as a trusted partner for world-class missions. This is exactly the kind of high-value investment that will drive the continued growth of our UK space sector."
