Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), along with its partners, has been selected by the European Commission to lead the EROSS SC (European Robotic Orbital Support Services – Servicing Component) project. This initiative is a key element of the European Commission’s ISOS (In-Space Operations and Services) programme, which aims to conduct a pilot mission by 2030, paving the way for the development of a European infrastructure for in-space operations and services.
The EROSS SC contract, valued at €12 million, calls for the development of one of two spacecraft capable of carrying out Europe’s first demonstration mission involving automated rendezvous and robotic operations directly in space. Coordinated by Thales Alenia Space in France, the mission will validate technologies essential for future robotic in-space servicing, including satellite rendezvous, capture, docking, refueling, and payload exchange capabilities.
The spacecraft will later be integrated with other ISOS programme components for the pilot mission scheduled in 2030. It will perform a pre-operational mission to capture an end-of-life satellite and execute a controlled atmospheric reentry, preventing it from becoming space debris. The second spacecraft, “SCOPE,” also capable of testing automated rendezvous and robotic operations, has been awarded to Leonardo and includes participation from Thales Alenia Space in Italy.
With the growing number of satellites orbiting Earth and increased access to space to meet global needs—from geolocation and connectivity to weather forecasting and environmental monitoring—Thales Alenia Space has been developing smart on-orbit servicing missions to directly manage satellites while they operate in space. The goal is to extend satellite lifetimes while mitigating space debris, enabling better management of current and future space assets.
This multifunctional spacecraft represents a paradigm shift, as future space systems will be able to undergo maintenance and upgrades in orbit, introducing unrivalled scalability and flexibility. Satellites can therefore be designed in entirely new ways.
Bertrand Denis, Vice President of Observation, Science and Exploration at Thales Alenia Space in France, stated:
“We are honoured that the European Commission has entrusted Thales Alenia Space and its partners to participate in the ambitious ISOS programme aimed at demonstrating the European industry’s ability to develop on-orbit services. The future of on-orbit operations missions in Europe is promising, as they will revolutionise the way we manage and maintain our space assets. These missions will not only enable satellite life extension in orbit but will also play a crucial role in mitigating space debris, ensuring a safer and more sustainable space environment for future generations.”
