DSI: Tracing the Path of our Space Innovation Legacy
Uncover DSI's journey from humble beginnings in 1997 to a renowned leader in space hardware design today. Learn about our milestones, innovations, and the passion that drives our ongoing success in space exploration.
“DSI Aerospace quickly evolved from a university Spin-Off into an esteemed SME with impressive heritage in aerospace electronics satisfying the needs of customers worldwide.”
Harald Michalik Founder and Shareholder
1
1997
Founding
In 1997, DSI Digital Signal Processing Systems & Information Technology GmbH was founded by Prof. Harald Michalik and Prof. Laszlo Hinsenkamp as a spin-off of the Hochschule Bremen. Originally situated on top of the Hochschule Bremen in Neustadtswall, the company began its journey.
The year 1999 marked an important milestone as DSI embarked on its first space project, collaborating with OHB on the KOMPSAT2 Crypto and Formatting Board. This success was followed by the development of Crypto Boards for SARLupe in 2002.
In 2003, DSI relocated its headquarters from Neustadtswall to Hochschule Bremen at the Airport, expanding its operations and securing significant contracts. Notably, DSI partnered with OHB in 2008 and 2009 to develop and manufacture two electronic boxes, EnMAP DSHA & ICPU.
In 2007, DSI moved once again, settling at its current address on Otto-Lilienthal-Str. 1, marking a significant step in its expansion and growth.
The year 2010 brought new achievements for DSI, including its first box-level export project, the GökTürk SDCU‑A, in collaboration with TÜBITAK. Additionally, DSI became a subcontractor for its first ESA board-level project, the Proba‑V DHU, in partnership with OIP.
2012 proved to be a groundbreaking year as DSI participated in its first ESA Science Mission project. The company played a crucial role in the development of ExoMars Orbiter MMU Boards in collaboration with Crisa/Airbus. Furthermore, DSI joined forces with DLR for the first asteroid lander mission, MASCOT OBC.
DSI continued to flourish in 2015 when it became a direct prime contractor for an ESA board-level project, the JUICE SSMM, in partnership with Beyond Gravity. The same year, DSI secured another direct prime contractor role, this time for an ESA box-level project, the MetOP-SG CDPU, in collaboration with Airbus.
In 2016, DSI opened a branch office in Braunschweig, further expanding its regional presence. This period also marked a significant transition for the company as it adopted a holding structure and underwent a renaming process, becoming DSI Aerospace Technologie GmbH.
The year 2017 witnessed another milestone as DSI introduced its first mass-produced products for South Korea. Through collaboration with KARI, DSI developed the KompSat‑7, KompSat-7A, and EOIRSat. Additionally, DSI’s reputation grew with the successful bids for contracts in multiple Copernicus missions, securing 5 out of 6 projects related to mass memory and instrument control units in 2019 (on-board CRISTAL, LSTM, CIMR, CHIME & CO2M).
In 2020, DSI expanded its horizons by venturing into space weather missions. The company collaborated with Redwire Space on the HERA MMU project. Furthermore, DSI played a crucial role in the first manned space mission, the I‑HAB MMS, partnering with TAS.
DSI’s sister company — DSI Datasecurity GmbH — sold to Airbus.
This strategic move allows DSI to focus more on its core expertise in space electronics while ensuring that DSI Datasecurity GmbH continues to thrive under Airbus’ leadership in the cybersecurity domain.
Recognizing the importance of regional presence, DSI opened a new branch office in Braunschweig on Hans-Sommer-Str. in 2021, strengthening its local operations.
Looking towards the future, DSI embraced its first space safety mission, the Clearspace‑1 OBC, in collaboration with Clearspace in 2023. As part of its ongoing evolution and growth, the company underwent another renaming process, now operating as DSI Aerospace GmbH.
In addition to its significant milestones, DSI witnessed the founding of EHC Ventures GmbH in an exciting collaboration between Harald Michalik, Christian Dierker, and Elias Hashem. EHC Ventures GmbH acquired the shares of DSI Aerospace GmbH from the previous shareholder.