Schaeffler AG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Spire Global, Inc. to develop space hardware subsystems, satellite platforms, and advanced radiofrequency (RF) and environmental sensing capabilities. The partnership combines Schaeffler?s precision engineering and manufacturing scale with Spire?s proven satellite platform expertise and extensive flight heritage, with the aim of establishing a new European standard for space-industrial capability. The companies intend to build a sovereign European space hardware and mission business before the end of this decade ?

industrialized in Germany, flight-proven in orbit, and deployable at scale for defense, weather, civil security, and critical-infrastructure missions. The cooperation will initially focus on securing and scaling supply chains for critical spacecraft subsystems. In parallel, the companies will evaluate a path toward industrialized satellite bus platforms for sovereign constellation programs, with Schaeffler leading precision manufacturing scale-up and Spire contributing platform architecture, flight software, and operational know-how. Schaeffler has identified Space and Defense as strategic growth fields under its Strategic Ambition 2035 framework, bringing certified production discipline refined across decades of automotive and industrial supply and established relationships with European defense and government customers.

Since 2013, Spire has designed, built, and launched more than 240 satellites across more than 40 launch campaigns. Spire currently has capacity to build 300-400 satellites per year across facilities in the United States and Europe. This dual-continent satellite manufacturing capacity is an important differentiating factor compared to other commercial satellite data, analytics and intelligence companies.

The partnership aims to accelerate Schaeffler?s entry into the space sector while deepening Spire?s roots in Germany. In May 2025, Spire opened a satellite manufacturing facility in Munich, Germany ? and through this partnership with Schaeffler, Spire builds on that foundation, expanding its European manufacturing presence and access to sovereign defense and government customers across the continent.