The move marks Rohde & Schwarz’s expansion of its electromagnetic spectrum reconnaissance portfolio into orbit. Orbint – founded earlier this year by University of the Bundeswehr research associates Alexander Schmidt, Simon Heine, Daniel Weinzierl, and Winfried Stock – is developing cutting-edge technology for space-based SIGINT reconnaissance.
Using a distributed satellite network, the start-up aims to detect, identify, and locate a wide range of signals in near real time, with data processed directly on board the satellites.
Rohde & Schwarz executive vice-president for technology systems, Alexander Orellano, said space-based intelligence gathering had become a crucial capability in the current global security environment.
“With Orbint, we’ve gained a highly specialised partner whose innovation and expertise perfectly complement our own,” Orellano said. “We made a deliberate decision to collaborate with a start-up because we’re convinced partnerships like this accelerate the development of advanced defence and aerospace technologies.”
Managing director of Rohde & Schwarz Vertriebs GmbH, Alexander Philipp, said the partnership would help deliver a sovereign national capability for Germany’s armed forces.
“This isn’t just about expanding our technological expertise,” he said. “Together, we can offer the Bundeswehr a home-grown solution that secures and advances its ability to conduct signal intelligence reconnaissance from space.”
Orbint’s founders said they selected Rohde & Schwarz for its depth of technical experience and established presence across defence and communications sectors.
“We wanted a partner that offered more than just funding,” said Schmidt, Orbint’s co-founder and managing director. “Rohde & Schwarz brings genuine value through its technological breadth, expertise and market reach. Combined with our aerospace activities, that creates real potential for innovation and operational excellence. We’re excited for what lies ahead.”
Orbint emerged from the SeRANIS small satellite mission, funded by dtec.bw, which provides an on-orbit experimental laboratory for communications and reconnaissance technologies.
President of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, Professor Eva-Maria Kern, said the spin-off was a milestone for the university’s growing focus on applied defence and security research.
“Start-ups are now an essential part of modern technical science,” Professor Kern said. “Orbint shows how the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, through dtec.bw, is strengthening research in security and defence and turning scientific innovation into practical capability. Partnering with a leading technology group like Rohde & Schwarz helps ensure Germany’s sovereignty in space.”
Head of the SeRANIS project, Professor Andreas Knopp, said the partnership demonstrated the value of linking research with industry early. “In just five years, we’ve moved from basic research to a commercial spin-off – a pace we urgently need in Germany to translate innovation into capability.
“Our work was always designed for compatibility with industry and defence partners, and Rohde & Schwarz is the perfect match to take these technologies from the lab to operational use.”
The collaboration is expected to accelerate Europe’s progress in independent space-based intelligence capabilities at a time when secure, sovereign access to space technologies has become increasingly vital to national and regional security.