ESA partners with D-Orbit for first in-orbit servicing mission

The RISE mission will demonstrate the capability to safely rendezvous, dock with, and maneuver a geostationary satellite, with the ultimate goal of extending the satellite's operational life. Upon meeting performance standards, D-Orbit will begin providing commercial satellite life extension services.

The mission is a significant move towards enhancing in-orbit services like refueling, refurbishment, and assembly, all of which are crucial for fostering a circular economy in space.

Aiming for Long-Term Space Sustainability
ESA's Space Safety program prioritizes the reduction of space debris, with the long-term goal of establishing a circular economy in orbit. The agency aims to limit spaceflight's impact on Earth's resources and has committed to a Zero Debris approach, designing new missions for safe disposal by 2030.

"In-orbit servicing is the logical continuation of ESA's sustainable approach to space. Extending the lifetime of satellites lets space operators generate more data and revenue from existing space assets, greatly improving both the sustainability and our competitiveness in space," said Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General.

The partnership with D-Orbit demonstrates ESA's commitment to reinforcing Europe's leadership in space sustainability by investing in critical in-orbit servicing capabilities.

RISE will initially perform docking demonstrations with a geostationary satellite, maneuver it, and then release it. Once these procedures are validated, the satellite will remain in orbit for an anticipated eight years, providing commercial services to active geostationary satellites.

"During the development phase, we're collaborating closely, leveraging our experience with pioneering new technologies and innovative approaches in space. Once the demonstration is complete, D-Orbit will continue to operate the spacecraft for its own commercial endeavors," stated Holger Krag, Head of Space Safety at ESA.

Expanding In-Orbit Services
"It's something we'd never do on Earth: to fuel our car, drive it until it runs empty, and then abandon it wherever it happens to be. And yet, that's how much of spaceflight has worked so far," said Andrew Wolahan, RISE Project Manager at ESA. "Now that we are able to, we want to move away from single-use, disposable satellites and instead start extending satellites' lifetime and service them right where they are, in orbit around Earth."

RISE will dock with a target satellite, taking control of its attitude and orbit while the client satellite retains power, communication, and payload functions. This capability opens new opportunities for extending the operational life of geostationary satellites that have lost their ability to control their position but can still perform their missions.

Beyond life extension, future in-orbit services are expected to include refueling, assembling, refurbishing, and recycling. These technologies are advancing rapidly worldwide and are nearing readiness for deployment.

Mission Overview
Scheduled for launch in 2028, RISE will embark on an eight-year mission. After reaching a staging orbit above geostationary orbit, the spacecraft will conduct rigorous testing before demonstrating its docking and maneuvering capabilities. The initial docking will occur in the "graveyard orbit," approximately 100 kilometers above the geostationary belt.

The RISE spacecraft will rendezvous with its client satellite, latch onto a structural ring, and perform precise attitude and orbit adjustments. Following the demonstration, RISE will release the satellite and position itself in a parking orbit, awaiting future commercial operations. The mission's first client could be a telecommunications satellite in need of a life extension.

Building RISE with D-Orbit
RISE will be equipped with advanced robotic systems, sensors, and autonomous control capabilities to dock with large geostationary satellites, which can weigh over 6,000 kilograms. While RISE itself is smaller, about the size of a minivan at launch, it will carry 800 kilograms of propellant to support its operations.

The mission is the first in-orbit servicing project developed and operated by a European company, positioning Europe at the forefront of this emerging market. It will also introduce innovative robotic docking systems and in-orbit rendezvous procedures.

The Future of Space Asset Management
RISE represents a major step forward in managing and maintaining space assets. In-orbit servicing missions will not only extend satellite lifetimes but also help mitigate space debris, paving the way for a safer, more sustainable space environment for future generations.

"Extending a satellite's life is a very challenging and exciting start to developing in-orbit servicing, for us and for Europe. And it will be only the first step towards even more interesting services," said Wolahan. "In the future, we hope to see similar missions in different kinds of orbits that can perform increasingly extensive services. We're excited to embark on this adventure together with D-Orbit."