A major European programme to develop autonomous satellite servicing technologies has reached a series of milestones, strengthening the region’s position in on-orbit robotics and in-space operations.
The European Robotic Orbital Support Services (EROSS) project, funded by the European Commission and coordinated by Thales Alenia Space, has now completed its System and Satellite Preliminary Design Reviews and is moving into the Critical Design phase. The consortium brings together organisations from across Europe, including the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Sener Aerospace and Defence, GMV, PIAP Space, Almatech, CSEM, TRASYS, Kongsberg and SINTEF.
The partners have worked since 2016 to mature a suite of technologies required for future servicing missions, such as autonomous rendezvous, robotic inspection, refuelling, repairs and orbital transfer. Many of these systems have now reached Technology Readiness Level 6, indicating they are suitable for demonstration in relevant space conditions.
Bertrand Denis, VP Observation, Science and Exploration at Thales Alenia Space in France, said the programme supports Europe’s efforts to build sovereignty in strategically important space capabilities. “Technologies used for on-orbit servicing developed in the framework of current and upcoming phases of EROSS leverage our long experience in space exploration, and will strengthen European resilience,” he said.
DLR highlighted the long-term significance of the work. Prof. Dr. Alin Albu-Schaeffer, director of its Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, described EROSS as “a game-changer for orbital services,” adding that it demonstrates the maturity of European robotics developed over the past two decades.
An in-orbit demonstration is planned to validate the technologies using both prepared and unprepared client spacecraft. According to the consortium, this will also help pave the way for early operational services for European institutional and commercial users.
Components maturing through the current phase include a robotic arm from DLR and Kinetik Space; multi-part grippers from PIAP Space, Almatech and CSEM; standard mechanical and refuelling interfaces led by Sener; vision systems developed by GMV, Thales Alenia Space and TRASYS; guidance and navigation software from Thales Alenia Space; and lidar sensors provided by Kongsberg, SINTEF, Thales Alenia Space and CSEM. Communication and outreach activities are supported by Tipik Communication Agency.
Sener Aerospace and Defence’s Space General Manager Diego Rodriguez said EROSS demonstrates why Europe must maintain autonomy in critical servicing systems. “The consortium offers a solid and proven foundation, with validated outcomes and a clear roadmap,” he said.
With detailed design now underway, the project is working toward a major contractual milestone at the end of 2025, when partners will assess overall satellite-level readiness and agree next steps.
European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius urged the sector earlier this year to “be bold, be brave, be ambitious.” The consortium says the progress achieved so far shows Europe is moving decisively in that direction, building the capabilities required for a future market in on-orbit servicing.
