About Ohio Space Systems
Building America's space future from the heart of Ohio's manufacturing belt.
Founded on the principles of domestic production, workforce development, and sustainable manufacturing.
Our Mission
To design, manufacture, and assemble the first fully Ohio-made satellites, spacecraft, and defense systems—while building a sustainable domestic supply chain that reduces America's dependence on foreign aerospace components.
We believe that national security and space leadership require more than just innovation—they require the ability to build, test, and deploy systems entirely within American borders, using American workers and American materials.
Core Values
- Ohio-Made First: Maximize domestic content in every system
- Workforce Development: Train the next generation of aerospace workers
- Sustainable Design: Build for reuse, serviceability, and circular economy
- Speed to Market: Leverage Ohio's logistics advantage for rapid deployment
Our Vision
To establish Ohio as America's premier space manufacturing hub, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs while building the most advanced, sustainable, and secure space systems in the world.
By 2030, we envision a complete ecosystem of Ohio-based suppliers, manufacturers, and test facilities that can rapidly produce and deploy space systems for commercial, defense, and exploration missions.
Leadership
Bernd M. Weiss
Bernd M. Weiss is Founder and CEO of Astromerge, Senior Advisor in space and defense manufacturing, and Director of the Circular Impact Hub. He is pursuing a PhD in engineering design with a focus on industrial transformation and circular economy in aerospace.
With 25 years of industry experience, Bernd has led teams of over 100 people, launched and scaled startups internationally, and specializes in reusable spacecraft design, sustainable manufacturing, and reindustrialization. His vision for Ohio Space Systems is to build the first fully Ohio-made satellites, spacecraft, and defense systems—while training thousands of Ohio students to lead the future of aerospace.
Experience Highlights
- 25+ years in aerospace and defense manufacturing
- Led international teams of 100+ engineers and technicians
- Expert in reusable spacecraft design and sustainable manufacturing
- PhD candidate in engineering design and circular economy
- Multiple successful startup launches and scale-ups
Facilities & Test Capabilities
Our Ohio facilities are strategically located to leverage the state's manufacturing ecosystem, transportation infrastructure, and workforce pipeline.
Manufacturing
- CNC machining centers
- Composite manufacturing
- Additive manufacturing (3D printing)
- Clean room assembly
- ITAR-compliant secure areas
- Quality control and inspection
Testing & Verification
- Thermal vacuum (TVAC) chambers
- Vibration and shock testing
- EMI/EMC testing
- Materials testing lab
- Flight software verification
- Integration and checkout
Logistics & Deployment
- Lake Erie shipping access
- Rail and interstate connections
- Regional airport proximity
- Secure transportation protocols
- Climate-controlled storage
- Emergency response capabilities
Ohio Space Milestones
Ohio has been a leader in aviation and aerospace since the Wright Brothers. We're building on this legacy to create the next chapter of space exploration.
Historical Foundation
- 1903: Wright Brothers achieve first powered flight in Ohio
- 1940s: Ohio becomes major aerospace manufacturing hub
- 1960s: Ohio companies contribute to Apollo program
- 1980s: Advanced materials and composites development
- 2000s: Commercial space and defense systems
Future Milestones
- 2024: Ohio Space Systems founded
- 2025: First Ohio supplier partnerships established
- 2026: Manufacturing facility operational
- 2027: First Ohio-made satellite launched
- 2030: Complete Ohio space ecosystem
Ethics & Sustainability
We believe that the future of space must be built on principles of sustainability, responsibility, and ethical manufacturing. Our approach to space systems design prioritizes environmental stewardship and space debris mitigation.
Reuse by Design
Every spacecraft we build is designed for serviceability, upgradeability, and end-of-life recovery. We're committed to developing the infrastructure for on-orbit servicing and spacecraft lifecycle management.
Space Debris Awareness
We design all systems with debris mitigation in mind, following best practices for post-mission disposal and orbital lifetime management. Our goal is to leave space cleaner than we found it.
Manufacturing Ethics
- Fair Labor Practices: All workers receive living wages and comprehensive benefits
- Environmental Responsibility: Zero-waste manufacturing goals and renewable energy
- Supply Chain Transparency: Open sourcing of supplier networks and standards
- Community Investment: Local hiring and educational partnerships
Sustainability Goals
- Carbon-neutral manufacturing by 2027
- 90% recyclable materials in all systems
- Zero waste to landfill from operations
- 100% renewable energy for facilities
Join Ohio's Space Future
Whether you're a student, engineer, manufacturer, or investor—there's a place for you in Ohio's space ecosystem.