Schaeffler Enters Strategic Space Cooperation with Spire Global to Advance European Satellite Infrastructure

Image: Spire

(IN BRIEF) Schaeffler and Spire Global have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on space hardware subsystems, satellite platforms and advanced radiofrequency and environmental sensing capabilities, with the goal of supporting sovereign European space infrastructure. The partnership combines Schaeffler’s industrial manufacturing, precision engineering, motors, bearings and power electronics expertise with Spire’s satellite platform architecture, flight software, operational knowledge and spaceflight heritage. The companies will initially focus on scaling supply chains for critical spacecraft subsystems while evaluating industrialised satellite bus platforms for sovereign constellation programmes. Schaeffler has identified Space and Defense as strategic growth areas under its Strategic Ambition 2035, while Spire has built and launched more than 240 satellites since 2013 and operates satellite manufacturing capacity in the United States and Europe. The cooperation is expected to accelerate Schaeffler’s move into the space sector and deepen Spire’s European manufacturing presence following the opening of its Munich satellite facility in 2025.

(PRESS RELEASE) HERZOGENAURACH, 27-May-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Schaeffler and Spire Global have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop space hardware subsystems, satellite platforms and advanced radiofrequency and environmental sensing capabilities, marking a strategic step toward building sovereign European space infrastructure at industrial scale.

The cooperation brings together Schaeffler’s precision engineering, manufacturing expertise and industrial production capacity with Spire’s satellite platform experience, flight heritage and operational know-how. The companies aim to establish a new European standard for space-industrial capability, with an initial focus on spacecraft subsystems and satellite platforms.

The partnership is intended to support the development of a sovereign European space hardware and mission business before the end of the decade. The planned model would be industrialised in Germany, proven in orbit and deployable at scale for defence, weather, civil security and critical-infrastructure missions.

The first phase of the cooperation will focus on securing and scaling supply chains for critical spacecraft subsystems. At the same time, Schaeffler and Spire will assess a potential route toward industrialised satellite bus platforms for sovereign constellation programmes. Under this approach, Schaeffler would lead the scale-up of precision manufacturing, while Spire would contribute satellite platform architecture, flight software and operational expertise.

Schaeffler has identified Space and Defense as strategic growth fields under its Strategic Ambition 2035 framework. The company brings production discipline developed across decades in the automotive and industrial sectors, along with established relationships with European defence and government customers.

Spire brings extensive experience in satellite design, manufacturing and operations. Since 2013, the company has designed, built and launched more than 240 satellites across more than 40 launch campaigns. It currently has capacity to build 300 to 400 satellites per year across facilities in the United States and Europe, giving it dual-continent satellite manufacturing capabilities.

Theresa Condor, CEO of Spire Global, said the two companies share a long-term vision for sovereign European space capability that can be built, deployed and operated within Europe at industrial scale. She described the agreement as a meaningful step toward a reliable and industrialised pathway for critical dual-use missions and a more self-reliant European space-industrial base.

Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler, said the company is well positioned to enter the new space sector as a motion technology specialist. He highlighted Schaeffler’s precision manufacturing, motor and bearing expertise, and power electronics capabilities as strengths that can support the growing European satellite industry’s need for industrialised and flight-qualified hardware.

The partnership is expected to accelerate Schaeffler’s entry into the space sector while further strengthening Spire’s presence in Germany. In May 2025, Spire opened a satellite manufacturing facility in Munich, and the new cooperation with Schaeffler builds on that foundation by expanding Spire’s European manufacturing presence and access to sovereign defence and government customers across the continent.

Spire Global is a provider of space-based data, analytics and space services. The company builds, owns and operates a satellite constellation that observes the Earth in real time using radio frequency technology. Its satellite data supports weather intelligence, maritime and aviation tracking, and spoofing and jamming detection, while its Space as a Service offering enables customers to use Spire’s infrastructure to place their own missions in space. Spire has offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Germany.

Media Contacts:

Dr. Axel Lüdeke
Head of Group Communications & Public Affairs, Schaeffler AG, Herzogenaurach, Germany
axel.luedeke@schaeffler.com

Sarah Freeman
Senior Communications Manager, Spire Global
Sarah.Freeman@spire.com

For Investors:

Heiko Eber
Head of Investor Relations, Schaeffler AG, Herzogenaurach, Germany
heiko.eber@schaeffler.com

Benjamin Hackman
Head of Investor Relations
Benjamin.Hackman@spire.com

SOURCE: Schaeffler AG