Spacecraft Operations
and Engineering Services

Advanced engineering support for your next space mission

We are involved in some of the most important European space missions such as Copernicus, Galileo and the Columbus laboratory on the European section of the International Space Station (ISS). With more than 35 years of experience in engineering services, we can support any space mission, be it Earth observations, telecommunications, navigation, interplanetary, astronomical, or manned spaceflights.

Our expert teams are operative in Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.

We are now SSC Space

As we continue our journey towards the future, we have now evolved our brand to fully reflect our global presence and business focus. The entire organization, including LSE Space and Aurora Technology, are now under one global brand, SSC Space. Read more

Engineer working in a control room at the German Space Operations Center.

Mission Operations

We can support your space mission throughout its whole lifecycle. Our long experience covers all facets of operations’ preparation and execution for both the space and ground segments. We can provide services and solutions for every stage and for any type of space mission.

Image: The German Space Operations Center (GSOC)

Systems Engineering
and Software Solutions

We deliver comprehensive system engineering and software solutions, applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies while meeting the rigorous quality standards set by leading global space agencies (ECSS, SSP, IEEE, and more). Our broad expertise spans mission-critical systems such as Monitoring & Control Systems (MCS), Mission Planning (MPS), Flight Dynamics (FD), Orbit Determination, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and LEOP support tools.

Engineer working at an office in front of a screen.
Prisma Tango satellite in space

Space Engineering

We help you design your space mission for success

We deliver specialized engineering and scientific services designed to ensure the success of space missions. With a focus on professional project execution, innovative service delivery, and the expertise of our highly skilled professionals, we provide comprehensive support throughout the entire space product development lifecycle.

Two planets in space

Space Science Operations

We support you in planning, processing and operating your Science Mission Data

We offer comprehensive services for strategic and long-term scientific mission planning and operations. Our expertise encompasses mission science data processing, payload operations, software development, science IT infrastructure and operations, and cybersecurity, ensuring high-quality scientific data products, and seamless and efficient support throughout the mission lifecycle. We support a wide range of scientific missions, including Euclid, Hera, EnVision, BepiColombo and many others.

Watch the whole film

01:52

Nathalie Fortier, Head of the Engineering Services Division, gives a brief introduction to our mission‑supporting services. Filmed with the generous support of GSOC, Germany.

Looking for career opportunities?

Come work with us

If you are passionate, motivated and able to build strong team relationships with colleagues and clients, join us! Fascinating space missions and appealing career opportunities are waiting for you. You will experience an exciting and international working environment, room to grow professionally, assistance in relocation issues related to living abroad, and a competitive pay package.

Join our teams in Germany, Spain, Italy or the Netherlands.

Four engineers walking outside the GSOC building

Questions & Answers

SSC Space provides spacecraft operations and engineering services across the full mission lifecycle, from early mission design and preparation through LEOP, routine operations and end-of-life support. Our teams can support both the space segment and ground segment, including mission design, system engineering, flight dynamics, mission planning, monitoring and control, software solutions, and ground segment integration. This enables satellite operators, space agencies and commercial customers to prepare, operate and sustain missions safely, efficiently and reliably.

Spacecraft operations are critical because they help ensure that a satellite performs as intended once in orbit. This includes telemetry monitoring, spacecraft health and performance assessment, mission planning, command preparation and execution, anomaly detection and resolution, orbit control and manoeuvre planning, and coordination with ground segment systems. Together, these activities help safeguard mission performance, minimize operational risk, and support reliable spacecraft operations throughout the mission lifetime.

SSC Space provides satellite mission control and mission management services for institutional and commercial missions. With decades of experience supporting complex space missions, our teams combine operational know-how, engineering expertise and established processes to help customers manage spacecraft safely and efficiently. SSC Space can support missions from preparation and LEOP through routine operations, contingency handling and end-of-life activities, acting as a trusted extension of the customer’s mission team.

Yes. Spacecraft operations can be supported by an experienced external partner such as SSC Space, either as an extension of the customer’s own team or through a more comprehensive operational service model. This allows satellite operators to avoid building and maintaining a complete operational infrastructure themselves. This is particularly valuable because spacecraft operations are complex, mission-critical and often underestimated in terms of required expertise, processes, tools and continuity. By relying on SSC Space’s operational experience and engineering capabilities, customers can reduce operational burden and focus their resources on the mission’s end products, services and applications.

SSC Space supports reliable satellite mission operations through experienced engineering and operations teams, established processes, validated tools, configuration control, procedure validation, simulation and training, and structured anomaly response. Our quality management approach is supported by ISO 9001:2015 certification, reinforcing consistent and continuously improved ways of working across mission-critical activities. Combined with decades of spacecraft operations and engineering services experience, this helps customers reduce operational risk and maintain safe, efficient and dependable mission performance.

SSC Space supports a broad range of missions, including Earth observation, telecommunications, navigation, human spaceflight, astronomical missions, solar system exploration, planetary defense and Mars missions. Our Engineering Services teams provide mission operations, space engineering, science operations and software, and system engineering support across both the space and ground segments. This enables customers to benefit from tailored technical and operational expertise throughout the mission life-cycle, from preparation and operations to mission evolution and end-of-life support.

Featured articles

Engineering the future of Earth observation

15:05 May 31, 2026

Meet Ainhoa Solana Esteban, who supports the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Sentinel-1 Copernicus mission, contributing to one of Europe’s most ...

Shaping the future of space operations

09:03 March 13, 2026

Cutting-edge robotics and automation are shaping the future of space exploration. Meet Jules Noirant, Specialist in Automation and Robotics, whose ...

Managing the onboard system on the ISS

08:03 March 5, 2026

Can you imagine managing the onboard systems for the Columbus module on the ISS? For Christophe Chellembrom, that’s just another day ...

Supporting multiple scientific operations for ESA

14:02 February 11, 2026

Meet Marcos Lopez-Caniego Alcarria, an ESDC Ops Scientist whose work connects decades of curiosity about the universe with some of ...

Engineering the backbone of space missions

16:11 November 17, 2025

Meet Ilja Verspohl, a System Engineer at SSC in Germany....

Precision and passion: steering Solar Orbiter

13:03 March 25, 2025

The Solar Orbiter spacecraft is operated from ESA’s European Space Operations Centre, with support from industry partners including SSC....

Portrait photo of Guillaume Guillermin

Guillaume Guillermin

Business Development Director

Curious what we can do for you?
Contact us now!