ATG Innovation has officially signed a contract with OHB on Wednesday, November 19th, marking a major milestone in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ambitious LISA mission. Under this agreement, ATG will deliver the Satellite Central Tube (SCT) for all three spacecraft in the LISA constellation and will lead an Irish consortium that includes ÉireComposites.

Why LISA Matters
LISA – the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna- is a pioneering mission developed by ESA in collaboration with NASA. It will consist of three satellites flying in a triangular formation, separated by 2.5 million kilometres, to detect gravitational waves-ripples in space-time caused by cosmic events such as black hole mergers.

These waves carry information about phenomena that cannot be observed with traditional telescopes, opening a new window into the universe. By measuring changes smaller than the width of a helium atom across millions of kilometres, LISA will allow scientists to study the formation of galaxies, the nature of dark matter, and even test Einstein’s theory of general relativity on cosmic scales.

ATG’s role in this mission is critical The SCT forms the structural backbone of each satellite, designed using ATG’s patented lightweight, high-stiffness grid-stiffened architecture. ÉireComposites will manufacture and assemble these advanced composite structures, ensuring they meet stringent aerospace standards.

Ireland’s Role in Space Innovation
This collaboration highlights Ireland’s growing presence in the global space industry. By combining ATG’s engineering expertise with ÉireComposites’ advanced manufacturing capabilities, the consortium demonstrates how Irish innovation is contributing to one of the most ambitious scientific missions of the century.

from OHB:
“We are delighted to partner with ATG and their Irish consortium on LISA. Their expertise in composite
structures is essential for building spacecraft that can withstand the extreme conditions of deep space.
Together, we are enabling a mission that will transform our understanding of the universe.”

from ATG:
“Leading Ireland’s contribution to LISA is a source of immense pride for ATG. This mission is not just
about engineering, it’s about pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. By delivering the central
structure for all three satellites, we are placing Ireland at the heart of a project that will redefine
astrophysics for generations to come.”

About ATG Innovation
ATG Innovation Ltd., established in 2017 as ATG Europe’s centre of excellence for composite structures in Ireland, specializes in advanced engineering and composite technologies for space applications. The company’s expertise spans the entire development cycle, from conceptual design to full qualification and certification. Learn more at http://www.atg-europe.com

About OHB System AG
OHB System AG is one of Europe’s leading space companies, specializing in the development and integration of satellites and space systems for scientific, commercial, and security applications. For the LISA mission, OHB serves as the prime contractor, responsible for the overall spacecraft design, integration, and delivery to ESA. With decades of experience and a strong track record in major ESA missions, OHB combines cutting-edge technology with a commitment to advancing space science and exploration. Learn more at http://www.ohb.de

About ÉireComposites
ÉireComposites, based in Co. Galway, is a leader in composite design, manufacturing, and testing for aerospace and renewable energy sectors. Founded in 1998, the company delivers innovative, high / performance solutions to global customers. Learn more at http://www.eirecomposites.com

ATG Engineering has signed its first commercial contract with Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) on
Tuesday, November 18th, marking a major milestone in the company’s evolution from bespoke
engineering and innovation to industrialized production.

Under this agreement, ATG Engineering will deliver main interstages and upper skirts for the
RFA ONE launcher, with manufacturing support from subcontractor Airborne Aerospace.
The development and technology maturation leading up to this milestone achievement was
partially funded and supported through Dutch contributions via the Netherlands Space Office in
the ESA GSTP and BOOST program.

This contract is a key milestone for ATG Engineering, marking the turning point from the R&D and technology development phase of its grid-stiffened massoptimized structures into recurring production and commercialization of advanced composite structures, ensuring scalability, cost efficiency, and long-term impact.

By industrializing its products, ATG Engineering is positioning itself as a key contributor to Europe’s commercial launch market, where reliability and affordability are critical for success. The RFA ONE launcher is designed to provide flexible, cost-effective access to space for small satellites. ATG Engineering’s lightweight, high stiffness interstage structures will play a vital role in achieving these performance goals.

Europe’s space sector is undergoing a transformation, driven by the growing demand for small satellite launches and competitive pricing.
This contract demonstrates how partnerships between innovative engineering firms and launch providers can accelerate industrialization and strengthen Europe’s position in the globalmarket.
By enabling recurring production and scalability, ATG Engineering and RFA are setting a benchmark for costeffective, high-performance launch solutions.

Jörn Spurmann, CCO at RFA: “Partnering with ATG Engineering has proven to be a reliable and
trusted foundation for our mission to provide flexible and dependable access to space for
Europe. Our successful collaboration, built over several years, continues to strengthen RFA ONE
as we prepare for frequent commercial and strategic launches. We are pleased to move forward
together as Europe’s launch market continues to grow.”

Alberto Donadoni, CCO at ATG Europe: “The micro/small launchers race has been on in Europe
and globally for quite some years now, but the pursue of performances will only come after the
maiden flights during the fight for commercial sustainability. We are glad that RFA decided to
focus on performances from the very start, and that they trusted ATG’s technology to save them
mass where it matters starting with their first launcher. We are more than eager to continue this
journey with RFA, supporting them in optimising access to space. This is an important first step
for us, and we are already eagerly looking forward at the race for the moon, where every gram
saved matters the most!”

About ATG Engineering
ATG Engineering, part of ATG Europe, specializes in advanced composite structures for space applications. With expertise spanning design, analysis, and qualification, ATG Engineering is committed to delivering lightweight, high-performance solutions that meet the demands of modern space missions. Learn more at
http://www.atg-europe.com.

About Rocket Factory
Rocket Factory Augsburg was founded in 2018 with the vision to enable data generating business models in space to better understand, protect and connect our planet Earth. Against this background, the company’s goal is to offer launch services into low Earth orbits and beyond on a frequent basis, providing flexible, dependable and sovereign access to space for Europe.
The RFA ONE launch service combines three key competitive advantages: A customer focused service with precise in-orbit delivery and a high degree of mission flexibility through its third stage “Redshift”; at a highly competitive price; made possible by superior “Helix” staged / combustion engines, low-cost stainless steel structures and usage of industrial components.

Our ESA shops service was first introduced at ESAC in Madrid in February 2024. After over a year, we’re proud to announce that from July, ATG started to manage the ESA shops across six locations!

This project demonstrates ATG’s capabilities in delivering end-to-end operational solutions, including:

• Retail operations management
• On-site service coordination
• Efficient problem-solving capabilities
• Commercialization and distribution support
• Seamless integration with our partners’ internal processes

By combining strong management support with operational expertise, we enabled ESA to offer its official merchandise efficiently and consistently across six establishments.

A huge thank you to our dedicated teams for their hard work. Your efforts continue to showcase ATG’s commitment to delivering valuable, practical solutions that empower our partners’ goals!

We are pleased to announce that Giuseppe Spoliti will be joining ATG Europe as the new Business Development Director for ATG Italy and Defense, effective May 1st!

Giuseppe brings a wealth of experience in strategic business development, with over 15 years in the space industry and 10 years in the defense sector, across European countries. His expertise makes him an excellent fit for the role and aligns strongly with ATG Europe’s evolving ambitions.

Throughout his career, Giuseppe has held several key leadership roles, most notably as CCO and later CEO of Babcock Italia. His proven track record in leading high-impact operations and scaling strategic initiatives will be instrumental in strengthening ATG Europe’s market presence in defense.

Looking ahead to his journey at ATG, Giuseppe shares: “I’ve always been intentional about working with organizations that share my values, particularly around diversity and integrity. ATG Europe stands out as a place where those principles truly align.”

Giuseppe’s appointment marks a step forward for ATG Europe as we continue to expand our capabilities and deliver innovative solutions to clients across key sectors. We’re excited to welcome Giuseppe to the team and look forward to the positive impact his leadership will bring!

With breadboard testing being lined up, this achievement marks a milestone on the CMPA’s journey toward commercialization. We look forward to seeing how the upcoming testing phase unfolds, and to following the team’s continued efforts as they move toward full-scale manufacturing and qualification testing.

Congratulations to the team!

Last week, the HEO (Hawk for Earth Observation) Pathfinder microsatellite successfully entered orbit!

This marks the launch of the first satellite in the Hawk for Earth Observation constellation, part of the IRIDE programme—an ambitious Italian space initiative funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Coordinated by the European Space Agency (ESA) with support from the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the IRIDE programme involves the deployment of six satellite constellations, one of which is Hawk for Earth Observation, developed by the Italian company Argotec, based in San Mauro Torinese. 

As a pathfinder, the HEO microsatellite serves as a prototype for what is to come in the following years: the creation of Italy’s Earth observation constellation This end-to-end system will include both the upstream component (satellite constellations), the downstream component (ground operational infrastructure), and the service segment—ultimately providing a wide range of geospatial services to institutional users. 

ATG is extremely proud of the role we continue to play in this program, and of our colleagues working together with ESA and ASI to make it a success. For example, we support IRIDE by providing technical assistance to the integrated project team (covering end-to-end technical reviews), as well as communication services. 

This year alone, a further 9 HEO satellites are planned for launch, with 15 more expected in 2026. As we move forward, there will be much more progress to witness. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the ATG team for this remarkable achievement! 

We are proud to announce the launch of a new domain of services to the European Space Agency (ESA)!

Over the years, as one of the main service providers to the European Space Agency, ATG has built a strong portfolio of services across various fields. Now, we’re expanding further into the educational domain, providing support to the execution of the ESA’s Education Program with a focus on two key areas:

STEM Learning and Inspiration Programme (WP ECO-28-01 and ECO-28-02)

Aimed at inspiring children and youth aged 3–18, we are supporting the STEM Learning and Inspiration programme through initiatives that engage this age group directly or via their educators. These efforts span formal education (in schools) and informal/non-formal learning activities including workshops, webinars, etc.

Communication and Promotion Activities (WP ECO-30-04)

Our team is working on outreach and promotion for the entire ESA Education Office. This includes both the STEM Learning and Inspiration programme (3–18 years old) and the ESA Academy, which serves university students and young professionals aged 18+.

Last week, the newly composed team gathered at ATG HQ to celebrate this exciting service launch. With a renewed focus on collaboration, communication, service orientation, and teamwork, we are ready to achieve remarkable results and make a meaningful impact in the educational sector.

We are proud to announce that, once again in 2023, our client, the European Space Agency (ESA), has recognized and honored ATG-Europe with the EFC2 Best in Domain Award across several categories. This award reflects our dedication to providing exceptional services, including:

• Automation, Optics, and Life Science Support (SERVICES) 
• Aerothermodynamics & Propulsion Engineering (MAS & SERVICES) 
• Communication, Education, and Marketing (MAS & SERVICES) 
• Environmental Testing and Mechanical AIV Engineering (MAS & SERVICES) 

• IT Support (SERVICES) 

This achievement is a true testament to ATG-Europe’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. It also shows the effectiveness and success rate of ATG Service solutions. 

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all colleagues who have dedicated their time and energy to delivering outstanding service. Your hard work and commitment have made this recognition possible, and we could not have achieved it without you. 

Meeting with our experts? Yes! – Exploring business opportunities? Absolutely – Excited for product advancements? Get ready—there are many new updates! 

ATG Europe is thrilled to invite you to join us for the Space Tech Expo 2024-Europe’s largest B2B space event. There’s more to experience this year as we’re bringing something special: 

Engineering Services & Product Development

Our engineering services form the foundation of our contribution to the space industry, supporting every phase of space missions from initial concept to final launch. Our team is ready to discuss solutions tailored precisely to meet your project’s needs. 

Full-scale Cylinder

Our award-winning lattice technology is here again! Over the past year, we’ve integrated new advancements into the technology and applied them to not only satellite central tubes, but also to launcher interstages, and multi-payload adaptors. The perfect time to showcase them is now! 

ICARUS Final Product

We’re unveiling the MVP of our ICARUS Virtual Reality tool, specifically made for high-precision training of mechanical assembly and integration processes. ICARUS is now even more effective at optimizing training impact and quality assurance in complex systems. 

Visualization and Animation

Our scientific artists specialize in creating realistic, lifelike renderings and animations from any concept or design stage. See how we can bring your designs to life, using either the actual design files or simply your ideas!