Ohio-Made Satellites, Spacecraft & Defense Systems.
We don't just design or assemble—we produce and manufacture in Ohio. Built for America's missions.
From Lake Erie, we ship by water, rail, road, and air—an intermodal backbone for speed and resilience.
Built on Ohio's Manufacturing Heritage
For over a century, Ohio has been America's manufacturing powerhouse. From the Great Lakes shipbuilding yards to automotive assembly lines, from advanced aerospace components to precision machining—Ohio's industrial DNA runs deep.
Our state hosts one of the most robust aerospace supply chains in the nation, with established relationships across materials, components, and specialized manufacturing. This isn't just about space—it's about leveraging Ohio's proven track record in defense, automotive, and heavy industry to build the next generation of American space capabilities.
When we say "Ohio-Made," we mean drawing from this rich ecosystem of suppliers, craftspeople, and engineers who have been building mission-critical systems for decades.
Strategic Advantage: Lake Erie provides multimodal logistics access—water, rail, road, and air—creating an unmatched supply chain hub for rapid deployment and testing.
Our Mission Areas
Space
LEO/MEO/GEO buses, payload integration, structures, propulsion integration, test & verification, on-orbit serviceability roadmap.
Learn MoreDefense
ISR payload platforms, resilient comms, ground systems, secure manufacturing & ITAR workflows, rapid prototyping.
Learn MoreAviation
UAV platforms, avionics integration, lightweight structures, MRO partnerships, flight test corridors.
Learn MoreSpace: Ohio-Built, Orbit-Ready
Ohio-MadeOur space systems are designed for reuse, manufacturability, and rapid deployment. Every component is selected not just for performance, but for how well it can be produced, tested, and qualified using Ohio's manufacturing base.
- Design-for-Reuse: Modular architectures that reduce costs and increase mission flexibility
- Ohio Supply Chain: Localized production for critical components and structures
- Staged Qualification: TVAC workflows that minimize risk and accelerate timelines
- On-Orbit Serviceability: Built for maintenance, upgrade, and life extension
Defense: Secure by Default
ITAR Compliant PartnersNational security demands the highest levels of manufacturing security, supply chain transparency, and rapid deployment capability. Our defense systems are built with security woven into every stage of design and production.
- Secure Facilities: CMMC-compliant manufacturing and assembly environments
- US-Only Supply Chain: Verified domestic sourcing for all critical components
- Rapid Prototyping: Ohio's industrial base enables quick-turn development cycles
- Resilient Communications: Hardened systems for contested environments
Our Lake Erie location provides strategic advantages for both testing and deployment, with direct access to restricted airspace and secure transportation networks.
Aviation: From Shop Floor to Flight Line
FAA Certified PartnersOhio's aviation heritage runs deep, from the Wright Brothers to today's advanced manufacturing centers. We leverage this ecosystem to build UAV platforms, avionics, and structures that meet the demanding requirements of modern flight operations.
- Certification Partners: Established relationships with FAA and testing facilities
- Materials Labs: Advanced composites and lightweight structures
- CNC & Additive Manufacturing: Precision production for complex geometries
- Flight Test Corridors: Access to Ohio's restricted airspace for testing
From concept to first flight, our Ohio-based approach reduces timelines and increases quality through integrated design and manufacturing workflows.
Education to Employment: Ohio Talent Pipeline
We train thousands of Ohio students for space & defense careers through school and college partnerships. Top performers help build the first Ohio-Made satellite.
Space Literacy
Fundamentals of orbits, missions, sustainability. Students learn the basics of space operations and mission planning.
- Orbital mechanics basics
- Mission design principles
- Space sustainability
- Industry overview
Systems Engineering
V-model, requirements, verification, MBSE intro. Comprehensive training in modern systems engineering approaches.
- Requirements management
- Verification & validation
- Model-based systems engineering
- Risk management
Business & Operations
Supply chain, cost, program mgmt, quality. Essential business skills for aerospace operations.
- Supply chain management
- Program management
- Quality assurance
- Cost analysis
Operations & Manufacturing
CNC, composites, AM, assembly best practices. Hands-on training in advanced manufacturing techniques.
- CNC machining
- Composite materials
- Additive manufacturing
- Assembly processes
Our Ohio-Made Pledge
We are minimizing non-US and non-Ohio parts to the maximum extent. Our pledge: more Ohio in every mission.
1. Localization Commitment
Minimize non-US and non-Ohio components; publish quarterly localization percentage reports for full transparency.
2. Supplier Network
Build Ohio supplier network; dual-source critical parts domestically to ensure resilient supply chains.
3. Workforce Development
Train & hire Ohio students; integrate capstone teams into real missions for hands-on experience.
Target: 95% by Q4 2025
Target: 75% by Q2 2026
Our Partners
Building Ohio's space future with leading educational institutions, manufacturing partners, and industry collaborators.
Astromerge - Consulting
Creaternity Space Lab - Research
Grand Systems - Satellite development
Rust Belt Recruiting - Workforce
Our Team
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.
Connect with BerndStart Your Program Review
Ready to discuss your space, defense, or aviation mission? Let's explore how Ohio's manufacturing capabilities can accelerate your program.
Get in Touch
Ready to discuss your next mission? Our team is here to help you explore Ohio's capabilities for space, defense, and aviation systems.
Response Time
We typically respond to inquiries within 24 hours during business days.
Program Reviews
Comprehensive program reviews include technical assessment, timeline analysis, and Ohio supplier network evaluation.
Security Clearance
Our team holds appropriate clearances for sensitive defense and space programs.