Terma to Power Europe’s LISA Mission, Advancing a New Era of Astrophysics

Terma has secured its largest space contract to date from OHB System AG to supply critical hardware for the European Space Agency’s Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission, planned for launch in 2035. Under the agreement, Terma will deliver Power Conditioning and Distribution Units (PCDUs) for the spacecraft, leveraging next-generation of power technology to maximize efficiency, together with six specialized ground test systems that verify performance and readiness before launch.

LISA will be the first space-based observatory to detect gravitational waves - ripples in spacetime caused by the most powerful events in the Universe, such as pairs of supermassive black holes colliding and merging, and inspiraling compact stellar systems during a mission lasting more than four years. The mission comprises three spacecrafts flying 2.5 million kilometers apart, linked by lasers that measure ripples in spacetime equal to distortions in distance smaller than the width of an atom. LISA is expected to observe gravitational waves from sources such as merging supermassive black holes and compact binaries, and may capture signals from the early universe, addressing questions that current telescopes cannot answer. 

Terma’s contributions are focused on mission assurance: robust, efficient power for the satellites including the science instruments and comprehensive preflight verification so that every critical link and interface works as designed when the spacecraft reach operational orbit.

By optimizing power conditioning and distribution, Terma’s PCDUs improve overall system stability, while reducing energy losses that can threaten the performance of the sensitive instruments. 

On the ground, Terma’s test solutions simulate space conditions to validate telemetry and telecommand functions, data handling, RF communications and sensor interfaces. This end-to-end approach helps partners resolve issues on Earth rather than in orbit and supports lifecycle efficiency through open, modular architectures that simplify upgrades and maintenance over the program’s lifetime.

The delivery scope includes flight power systems as well as a suite of six ground systems, among them the Telemetry & Telecommand Special Checkout Equipment (SCOE), the Data Handling System SCOE, DFACS SCOE, SIIS SCOE, TM-TC FE SCOE, and the RF-Suitcase. Together, these assets provide OHB, TAS, and ESA with a cohesive verification chain from bench testing to integrated spacecraft validation.

“LISA is a leap for science and for Europe. With our flight power systems and comprehensive test solutions, OHB, TAS, and ESA can count on reliable performance when it matters most,” said Günther Lackner, Senior Vice President, Space, Terma. “We’re proud to help prove Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.”

“Our partnership with Terma reflects a consistent legacy in realizing complex and demanding systems for science missions,” said Andrea Sacchetti, Director Science at OHB. “LISA demands uncompromising reliability, and Terma brings exactly that to this mission. Together, we are enabling a mission that will transform our understanding of the universe.”

About OHB System AG
OHB System AG is one of Europe’s leading space companies, specializing in the development and integration of satellites and space systems for scientific, commercial, and security applications. For the LISA mission, OHB serves as the prime contractor, responsible for the overall spacecraft design, integration, and delivery to ESA. With decades of experience and a strong track record in major ESA missions, OHB combines cutting-edge technology with a commitment to advancing space science and exploration.
Learn more at www.ohb.de.