Thales Alenia Space, a leading space technology company, is making significant strides towards advancing in-space manufacturing with its EROSS (European Robotic Orbital Support Services) program. Orbital Today recently had the opportunity to speak with Stéphanie Behar-Lafenêtre, the On-Orbit Servicing and Space Logistics Product Development Manager at Thales Alenia Space, to get an update on the program’s progress.
EROSS is a collaborative effort involving Thales Alenia Space, along with various industry and academic partners such as GMV Innovating Solutions, The Control Systems Laboratory, PIAP Space, SENER, SINTEF, SODERN, and Space Applications Services. The program aims to research and validate the technologies and robotics required for in-space servicing of satellites and other assets.
According to Behar-Lafenêtre, the EROSS program is on track to deliver its inaugural in-space mission by 2027. This mission will showcase capabilities such as satellite rendezvous, capture, docking, refueling, and payload exchange. The goal is not only to demonstrate these capabilities but also to provide reliable and practical solutions for future use.
Behar-Lafenêtre emphasized the slow evolution of spacecraft technology today and the need for more flexibility in upgrading existing assets. She mentioned that the technologies being developed under EROSS could pave the way for in-orbit manufacturing in the future. The ability to reach, grab, and move existing space assets in orbit is the first step towards extending their lifespan through in-orbit servicing.
One particular area of interest for in-orbit servicing is geostationary telecom operators who are looking to maintain their satellites in orbit for longer than originally intended. However, Behar-Lafenêtre believes that this market will be short-lived due to advancements in constructing new space assets. The focus now is on designing and building the next generation of space assets with more flexible interfaces that can be updated or replaced as needed.
While the use of these technologies is expected to emerge by 2030, the timeline for assets assembled entirely in space is harder to determine. Behar-Lafenêtre highlighted the need for a complete change in how space assets are designed and built to enable the assembly of parts in space. This would ultimately lead to the creation of new satellites or spacecraft without the need to send complete objects into orbit.
The benefits of in-space manufacturing are numerous, with sustainability being a key aspect. By altering existing systems and extending their lifespan, the need to launch new objects into orbit can be reduced. In addition, full assembly in space can minimize waste by repurposing parts of old space assets for use in new assets. Behar-Lafenêtre emphasized the importance of reducing waste and creating a sustainable space environment.
Thales Alenia Space’s EROSS program is making significant progress towards advancing in-space manufacturing and in-orbit servicing capabilities. With its focus on flexibility, sustainability, and reducing waste, the program is paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future in space technology. As we look towards the next decade, it will be exciting to see how these technologies continue to evolve and shape the future of space exploration.
