Apleona commissioned with integrated facility management at European Space Agency (ESA) site in Darmstadt

After the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Centre for Earth Observation (ESRIN) in Italy and European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Spain, Apleona is now responsible for facility management at its third site for ESA – the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. An agreement to this effect was signed in April 2019 for three years with the option of renewal.

The services agreed upon cover the full range of integrated facility management, including all technical and infrastructural services, the operation of the campus cafeteria and general services such reception and mail. The properties managed at the ESA site in Darmstadt have a total floor area of 50,000 m² and comprise critical infrastructure including two data centers and up to 764 office workplaces. A total of 1,100 people work at the ESA site in Darmstadt. Apleona was awarded the contract following a pan-European invitation to tender. The parties have agreed to not disclose the volume of the contract.

Dr. Jochen Keysberg, CEO of Apleona, said: “This further vote of confidence by ESA is an excellent validation of our business model built on integrated facility management with an emphasis on technical services and innovation, while maintaining consistent quality in all countries.”

Since 1967, the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt has been responsible for monitoring ESA satellites in Earth and interplanetary orbits, and for the global network of ground stations this requires. To date, ESOC has overseen the operation of more than 80 ESA satellites, including Huygens, Venus Express, ExoMars, Rosetta, CryoSat, GOCE and the Sentinels. Moreover, it has supported a number of missions by other national and international organizations.