The objective of the trilateral agreement is to introduce productized satellite platforms and constellation-scale production processes in Europe
• 4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. (4iG SDT) and its subsidiary REMRED Zrt. (REMRED) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Apex Technology, Inc. (Apex), a leading U.S.-based satellite platform manufacturer, to develop a satellite mass-production model in Europe.
• The partnership aims to establish a serial satellite manufacturing capability specifically designed to serve customers deploying large satellite constellations.
• This approach significantly reduces development costs and manufacturing lead times, while ensuring consistent quality standards.
• The collaboration builds on Apex’s experience in large-scale satellite manufacturing, combined with 4iG SDT’s and REMRED’s engineering expertise and system integration skills, laying the groundwork for a competitive European satellite industry from development to deployment.
4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. (4iG SDT) and its subsidiary REMRED Zrt. (REMRED) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Apex Technology, Inc., one of the leading American satellite platform developers. The cooperation aims to establish a scalable and competitive European satellite mass-production capability based on Apex’s experience in mass-producing satellites in the United States.
“The collaboration announced today is about redefining what’s possible in high-rate satellite manufacturing for proliferated constellations,” said Apex CEO Ian Cinnamon. “By harnessing Apex’s proven mass-production enterprise with the innovation and ambition of our European partners, we’re accelerating the transition to a future where satellite constellations can be deployed at unprecedented speed and scale on a global basis.”
As part of the trilateral cooperation, the parties are exploring the possibility of establishing a joint venture and developing a manufacturing model optimized for satellite constellation applications. This model would transfer standardized and scalable mass-production principles, proven in the automotive industry, to satellite manufacturing. The approach can significantly reduce development and delivery timelines, ensure predictable quality standards, and enable cost-efficient production while meeting the requirements of governmental, defence, and commercial customers worldwide.
As a result of this cooperation, a fast, cost-effective, and progressively scalable satellite mass-production capability—unique in Europe—may be established, tailored to the needs of the global satellite market. This includes short delivery lead times of 12–18 months and solutions based on flight-proven technologies, as well as the delivery of complete satellite constellations.
The companies participating in the partnership contribute complementary, high value-added capabilities toward the shared objectives. Apex provides serial-production-optimized satellite platforms that are already flight-proven, along with industrial-scale integration and manufacturing processes that currently enable the production of more than one hundred satellite platforms annually. REMRED Zrt. strengthens the development and manufacturing base with engineering expertise aligned with European space industry standards, supported by integration and testing infrastructure built around the REMTECH Center in Martonvásár. 4iG SDT supports the collaboration through vertical integration across nearly the entire satellite value chain, including program integration capabilities and extensive international market access.
“One of the key objectives of our collaboration is to implement a mindset similar to that used for Ford Model T mass production in the European satellite market. This approach has already been successfully adopted by Apex in the American space industry. It can fundamentally change the pace and cost structure of satellite development and manufacturing, just as it revolutionized the automotive industry a century ago,” said Dr. István Sárhegyi, CEO of 4iG Space and Defence Technologies.
As part of the cooperation, the parties are also exploring the possibility of a joint demonstration satellite mission, building on Apex’s flight-proven technologies. This would support rapid space heritage development and lay the groundwork for subsequent constellation programs, aligned with European qualification standards.
The cooperation creates an opportunity to develop the foundations of a competitive European satellite industry. In the coming period, experts will prepare detailed technical and business analyses to define implementation models and the gradual expansion of manufacturing capacities in Hungary and across Europe.
– END –
4iG Space and Defence Technologies
4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. (4iG SDT) is a Hungarian company within the 4iG Group, specialising in the research, development, system integration, and international commercialisation of defence and space technologies. The company contributes to NATO-compliant defence capabilities while bridging the Hungarian technology sector with the global defence industry and supporting the civil utilisation of dual-use technologies.
REMRED
REMRED Plc is the satellite manufacturing portfolio company of 4iG SDT. Founded in 2016, the company specialises in the design, development, and production of small- and medium-sized satellites in accordance with ECSS standards. REMRED will operate advanced engineering and integration infrastructure, including the REMTECH and HULAB facilities scheduled for completion in 2026, enabling rapid MAIT and qualification processes.
Apex
Apex is the world’s first mass manufacturer of productized satellite bus platforms designed to meet the demands of the rapidly expanding space industrial base. Founded in 2022, Apex delivers scalable spacecraft solutions for commercial and government customers and holds records for rapid satellite design-to-orbit timelines. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company was named one of Fast Company’s most innovative space companies in 2025.
Further information – 4iG
Péter Elkán
Group Corporate Affairs and Communications Director
sa***@*ig.hu
Further information – Apex
Claude Chafin
ch****@*********gr.com
