Space Agency. In 2018, the Institut Laue–Langevin and European Synchrotron Radiation Facility announce a new partnership between the two research centers and OHB SE. In 2018, OHB SE founded the fully owned subsidiary start-up company Rocket Factory Ausgburg (RFA). RFA's goal is the development of a highly reliable, low-cost small-satellite launcher. In 2019 MT Mechatronics (subsidiary of OHB SE), together with Illinois-based Ingersoll Machine Tools signed a contract to build the support structure of the Giant Magellan Telescope. The total value of the contract is $135 million. The structure is expected to be delivered to Chile at the end of 2025. As of 2019 OHB hopes to have a small rocket launcher capable of sending 200 kilograms to low Earth orbit conduct a first flight by the end of 2021. Galileo On January 7, 2010, the European Commission awarded a contract worth 566 million euros to build the first 14 operational satellites of the Galileo satellite navigation system to OHB-System and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) 4. The first two are ready in October 2012. On February 2, 2012, OHB-System won a new contract worth 255 million euros, covering 8 additional satellites. In 2013, a significant delay was announced for the program due to the failure of OHB, which called for help from Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, resulting in controversy over the governance of the program and the choice of OHB. Corporate history The OHB Systems AG was founded in 1958 as a marine outfitter company in Hemelinger harbour, Bremen. The name is an initialism of Otto Hydraulic Bremen. In 1981 Christa and Manfred Fuchs became involved with OHB. At the time OHB was a small company of 5 employees doing hydraulic and electrical work, mainly for the Bundeswehr. In 1985 Manfred Fuchs took over the OHB completely. Under Fuchs, OHB changed its focus to satellite and aviation technology. In 2000, the company changed the meaning of OHB to High-technology Bremen Orbitals (German:Orbitale Hochtechnologie Bremen). In 2009, the company had grown into 1,600 employee company. In 1 September 2014, OHB Systems AG and Kayser-Threde Gmbh merged. References External links Official website Aerospace companies of Germany Defence companies of Germany Companies based in Bremen Manufacturing companies based in Bremen (state) Spacecraft manufacturers