The new Rheinmetall Space Cluster seen by Iceye satellites. Photo: Iceye
Iceye has made key moves in Germany and Spain as it continues to grow its presence in Europe. In Germany, it has signed an MoU with German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall to establish a joint venture for satellite production. In addition, Iceye is also launching a new research & development and manufacturing center in Valencia, Spain. Iceye made the two announcements over the last two days.
In Germany, Rheinmetall is to be the majority shareholder in the new joint venture named Rheinmetall Iceye Space Solutions with 60% of the shares, while Iceye will hold 40%. The foundation is still subject to definitive agreements and official approvals. As part of a Rheinmetall Space Cluster in Germany, Rheinmetall Iceye Space Solutions is to manufacture satellites, starting with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and subsequently other space solutions. Production is to take place at the Neuss site, among others, and is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026.
The collaboration between the two companies has grown significantly in recent times, starting in June 2024. Later in 2024, Rheinmetall secured exclusive rights to market SAR satellites to military and government end users in both the German and Hungarian markets. Rheinmetall and Ukraine signed a contract with the support of the German government in November 2024 to support Ukraine’s need for SAR imaging capabilites, extending the SAR data and other support that Ukraine received from Iceye during the war.
“With the establishment of the new joint venture, we are making further inroads into the space domain. We are thus not only responding to the increased demand for space-based reconnaissance capabilities among armed and security forces worldwide, but also contributing to the preservation and expansion of Germany as a centre of technology. Our highly qualified colleagues at the Neuss site are being given a promising new perspective for the future. We are delighted to expand our cooperation with our proven partner Iceye,” Armin Papperger, CEO, Rheinmetall AG, said in a statement.
Iceye has also made a significant move in Spain. In Spain, the new center is Iceye’s second-largest R&D hub. It will aim to drive innovation in Iceye’s pipeline researching, developing, and manufacturing SAR-based and future multi-sensor technologies and solutions for persistent Earth Observation.
“The Spanish government’s commitment to this sector makes Spain an attractive country for the development and growth of companies in the ‘New Space’ industry, in a municipality such as Paterna, in which talent and vibrant business activity thrive,” Teresa Riesgo, Secretary General for Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, said in a statement.