OHB SE is working on a sale of shares in the German satellite maker, people familiar with the matter said, potentially allowing minority investor KKR & Co. to trim its stake. The Bremen-based company has tapped banks to explore a potential transaction as the space industry experiences significant growth. This move comes as satellite manufacturers benefit from increased demand for communications and Earth observation technologies.

KKR acquired a stake in OHB in 2021, valuing the company at approximately €1 billion. The private equity giant's potential exit reflects broader trends in the space sector, where established players are seeing heightened interest from investors. OHB, founded in 1958, has grown into one of Europe's leading satellite manufacturers, competing with larger rivals like Airbus and Thales Alenia Space.

The timing of this potential sale aligns with OHB's recent successes, including major contracts for satellite constellations and deep-space missions. As the space industry expands beyond traditional government contracts into commercial applications, companies like OHB are attracting attention from both strategic buyers and financial investors. The outcome of this process could signal broader market sentiment toward European space technology companies.