In-Space Operations and Services
In the future, in-space services, such as on-orbit satellite servicing, assembly, manufacturing, recycling, debris removal and logistic services will enhance the resilience and sustainability of space assets. New technologies and capabilities will increase the freedom of action, service life, system reliability, safety, economy as well as performance of systems. Assets will not simply be launched and operated until they run out of fuel or into a technical issue, but they will be serviced to repair them, add functionalities, extend their life, be brought to a cemetary orbit or even be taken back to Earth.
At the core of the paradigm shift toward such intelligent space systems are: robotic technologies, new industrial processes, modular and maintainable spacecraft designs, architectures and approaches, digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Together with other enabling technologies such as electric propulsion systems, they will change how space assets are designed, produced, tested, transported and operated. Different means like Design-to-Manufacture, Design-to-Service, Design-to-Recycle, Design-to-Customise or Design-to-Value, realised with the construction kit and the Open-Architecture principles, will foster a circular economy. In-space services will reduce costs and make multi-mission a possibility, enable reusability, protect the space ecosystem and incisively mitigate space debris.
Towards operationality: What are the next steps to achieve in-space services?
Already under Horizon 2020, the Commission launched two Strategic Research Clusters:
- PERASPERA in Space Robotics Technologies : with PERASPERA, the EU funded the development of capabilities and technological building blocks that will enable applications and services in orbit and system concepts.
- EPIC in Electric Propulsion: with EPIC, the EU funded electric propulsion, a key technology to sustainably and efficiently manoeuvre in orbit.
With the support of these two Strategic Research Clusters, the European Commission has paved the way for the EU Future Space Ecosystem. It will continue developing and taking shape through dedicated actions in the Horizon Europe work programmes over 2021-2027. Calls will target topics such as On-Orbit Servicing/Assembly/ Manufacturing (OSAM) and other in-space services (e.g. logistics, warehousing and disassembly/reuse/recycling), new system concepts, functional building blocks, tools required for design, and new approaches for production and testing.
Examples of Horizon Europe R&I projects
- Project EROSS+ (European Robotic Orbital Support Services)’s objective was to demonstrate the European solutions for the servicers and the serviced LEO/GEO satellites, enabling a large range of efficient and safe orbital support services.
- Project PERIOD (PERASPERA In-Orbit Demonstration) prepared the paradigm shift to change the way space systems are designed, built and operated, moving from mission-specific solutions to a modular spacecraft environment.
- In total, for Space Robotics, 16 were projects funded under Horizon 2020: More information here.