Building a robust European future in space
In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) will improve the performance, resilience, and sustainability of space assets. They include satellite servicing, assembly, manufacturing, removal, recycling and logistics in space. The Commission recognises the strategic importance of ISOS, in particular with regard to commercialisation and protection of space infrastructure and the space environment.
ISOS will contribute to the fostering of a new in-space economy, as well as to the protection of space assets, safeguarding the EU’s freedom to act in space.
Game-changing innovations and enabling technologies
The paradigm shift towards adaptable space systems hinges on advancements in enabling technologies, including:
- Robotics and automation: Autonomous robots will perform complex tasks, minimising human intervention.
- Digitalisation & AI: AI analytics will play a crucial role in decision-making, anomaly detection, and mission planning.
- Electric propulsion: Efficient electric propulsion systems will enable precise manoeuvring and in-orbit logistics.
Enabling technologies will change how space assets are designed, produced, tested, transported, and operated. App store-like approaches enabling standardised plug-and-play functionality will benefit the future space ecosystem.
The ISOS pilot mission
The EU, in its effort to foster and enable the strategic capacity to Act in Space, has launched a pioneering pilot mission which will showcase business opportunities and include technology and service demonstration. This mission will be a concrete step towards an inclusive and dynamic in-space ecosystem and pave the way towards the development of on-demand services for infrastructure in space.
Investing in EU research and development
With the groundwork laid in the 2013-2020 EU Research and Innovation framework Horizon 2020, with the Commission funding space robotics technologies and electric propulsion, the Commission has continued funding cutting-edge space technologies under the current Horizon Europe R&I framework for 2021-2027.
Calls will target topics such as servicing, assembly, and manufacturing as well as in-space services (e.g. logistics, warehousing and disassembly/reuse/recycling), new system concepts, functional building blocks, tools required for design, and new approaches to production and testing.
An overview of EU-funded R&I projects supporting the development of ISOS capabilities
This document guides applicants on the In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) pilot mission, detailing objectives, requirements, and boundary conditions. It includes the mission statement and perspectives for ISOS as an EU strategic priority, complementing the work programme topic descriptions.
In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) enhances the adaptivity, resilience, and sustainability of space assets through satellite servicing, assembly, manufacturing, recycling, and logistics. The EU recognises ISOS as strategically vital for infrastructure protection and commercialisation.