Thales Alenia Space and Partners to Advance Satellite Rendezvous, Capture and Refuelling Technologies Under ISOS Programme

©EROSS SC Tipik

(IN BRIEF) Thales Alenia Space has been selected by the European Commission to coordinate the €12 million EROSS SC project, a key component of the ISOS programme focused on advancing European capabilities in robotic on-orbit servicing. The project will develop one of two spacecraft intended for Europe’s first demonstration mission involving automated rendezvous and robotic operations in space, with a pilot mission targeted for 2030. Coordinated by Thales Alenia Space in France, EROSS SC will validate technologies for satellite rendezvous, capture, docking, refuelling and payload exchange, before supporting a pre-operational mission to capture an end-of-life satellite and guide it into controlled atmospheric reentry to prevent additional space debris. The project is part of a broader effort to build European infrastructure for in-space operations and services, extending satellite lifetimes and enabling maintenance and upgrades directly in orbit. The consortium includes partners from Germany, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Norway and France, with expertise in robotics, software, refuelling systems, satellite gripping mechanisms, vision algorithms and life cycle analysis. The initiative reflects growing European efforts to improve space sustainability as satellite numbers increase and reliance on orbital assets expands.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 10-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales Alenia Space has been selected by the European Commission to coordinate the EROSS SC project, a European on-orbit servicing initiative designed to demonstrate advanced space robotics, automated rendezvous and in-space operations that can support more sustainable use of orbital infrastructure.

The project forms part of the European Commission’s ISOS, or In-Space Operations and Services, programme, which aims to carry out a pilot mission by 2030. The wider objective is to help establish a European infrastructure for in-space operations and services, enabling future missions that can extend satellite lifetimes, enhance spacecraft capabilities and reduce the risk of space debris.

Announced at the ILA Berlin air show on June 10, 2026, the EROSS SC, or European Robotic Orbital Support Services – Servicing Component, contract is valued at €12 million. Under the project, Thales Alenia Space and its partners will develop one of two spacecraft capable of supporting Europe’s first demonstration mission involving automated rendezvous and robotic operations directly in orbit.

The EROSS SC spacecraft, coordinated by Thales Alenia Space in France, will be used to validate technologies required for future robotic servicing missions. These include satellite rendezvous, capture, docking, refuelling and payload exchange capabilities. The spacecraft will later be integrated with the other elements of the ISOS programme into the planned 2030 pilot mission.

During the pre-operational mission, the spacecraft is expected to capture an end-of-life satellite and support its controlled atmospheric reentry, preventing it from becoming additional space debris. This capability is intended to address one of the growing challenges of modern space activity as the number of satellites in orbit continues to increase.

A second spacecraft under the ISOS programme, named SCOPE, has been awarded to Leonardo. It will also be capable of testing automated rendezvous and robotic operations in space and includes participation from Thales Alenia Space in Italy.

Thales Alenia Space has been developing smart on-orbit servicing missions for several years in response to the increasing number of satellites around Earth and the growing reliance on space systems for services such as geolocation, connectivity, weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. These missions are intended to help operators manage satellites while they are already in orbit, extending operational lifetimes and reducing debris risks.

The company said multifunctional spacecraft for on-orbit servicing represent a major shift in the way future space systems may be designed and maintained. By enabling maintenance, upgrades and service activities directly in orbit, future satellites could be developed with greater scalability and flexibility, changing long-standing approaches to spacecraft design and mission management.

Bertrand Denis, Vice President Observation, Science and Exploration at Thales Alenia Space in France, said the company is honoured to have been entrusted by the European Commission, together with its partners, to contribute to the ISOS programme. He said on-orbit operations in Europe have the potential to transform how space assets are maintained and managed, while helping to extend satellite lifetimes and reduce space debris for a safer and more sustainable orbital environment.

The EROSS SC consortium will be coordinated by Thales Alenia Space in France, which will also oversee the overall system and Guidance, Navigation and Control functions. The consortium brings together partners from across Europe with expertise in robotics, mechatronics, software, spacecraft interfaces, refuelling systems, satellite gripping, vision algorithms, life cycle analysis and project communication.

The Robotics and Mechatronics Center at the German Aerospace Center, DLR, and KINETIK Space in Germany will be responsible for the robotic arm. Space Applications Services in Belgium will develop the tool-change mechanism for the robotic arm. Sener Aeroespacial in Spain will develop universal interfaces and refuelling systems, while PIAP Space in Poland will provide the satellite gripping mechanism.

SINTEF in Norway will contribute to the software architecture. Keyes in Belgium, Sener Aeroespacial in Spain and Magellium Artal Group in France will develop vision algorithms for robotic and rendezvous operations involving both prepared and unprepared satellites. Arribes Enlightment in Spain will lead the spacecraft life cycle analysis, while TIPIK in Belgium will handle communication and dissemination for the project.

Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales, which holds 67%, and Leonardo, which holds 33%. The company provides space systems for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, defence, exploration, science and orbital infrastructure. It also works with Telespazio through the Space Alliance. In 2025, Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of €2.36 billion and employed more than 8,000 people across 14 sites in seven European countries.

About the consortium:

EROSS SC will be led by a consortium coordinated by Thales Alenia Space in France, which will also supervise the overall system as well as the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) functions. The consortium includes: the Robotics and Mechatronics Center at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and KINETIK Space (Germany) responsible for the robotic arm; Space Applications Services (Belgium) developing the tool-change mechanism for the robotic arm; Sener Aeroespacial (Spain) developing universal interfaces and refuelling systems; PIAP Space (Poland) providing the satellite gripping mechanism; SINTEF (Norway) contributing to the software architecture; Keyes (Belgium), Sener Aeroespacial (Spain), and Magellium Artal Group (France) developing vision algorithms for robotics and rendezvous operations for both prepared and unprepared satellites; Arribes Enlightment (Spain) leading the spacecraft’s life cycle analysis, while TIPIK (Belgium) is responsible for the project’s communication and dissemination.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

About Thales Alenia Space

Thales Alenia Space leverages a unique combination of skills, technological expertise, and industrial capabilities to deliver innovative solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, defense, exploration, science, and orbital infrastructures— drawing on 50 years of proven experience. Institutions, governments, and private industry rely on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere, connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, explore our Solar System, and unlock the mysteries of the Universe. Embodied by its Space for Life purpose, Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping build a better and more sustainable life on Earth, and beyond. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of solutions including services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of €2.36 billion in 2025 and has more than 8,000 employees in 7 countries with 14 sites in Europe. #spaceforlife www.thalesaleniaspace.com

Media Contact:

Tel: +33 (0) 1 57 77 80 00

SOURCE: Thales