U.K. Space Agency Awards Contract for ADR Refueling Mission
U.K. Space Agency Awards Contract for ADR Refueling Mission
Astroscale to Lead Expert Consortium Following Successful Bid
The U.K. Space Agency has accepted a bid from Astroscale for its Active Debris Removal (ADR) Refueling feasibility study. This £2 million ($2.57 million) U.K.SA study program marks a significant milestone in the mission to transform the satellite industry and make space operations more sustainable.
“In-orbit refueling is one of the most challenging tasks to achieve in space but will bring immense benefits for more sustainable space operations.”
Patrick Wood, Airbus
The study is focused on the refueling of the U.K.’s first Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission, for which Astroscale U.K. is also under contract to develop its COSMIC servicer spacecraft, in addition to a second commercial client to be determined, not only addressing the technological barriers in this ambitious mission, but also continuing to grow the in-orbit economy.
For its COSMIC ADR mission, Astroscale U.K. is teaming up with more than 10 U.K.-based partner companies, contributing to further job creation and economic growth across the country, supporting the U.K. government’s commitment to leveling up. As a global entity dedicated to IOS across all orbital paths, the inclusion of refueling capabilities provides Astroscale with the opportunity to showcase its comprehensive range of services and expertise.
For this new project Astroscale U.K. has assembled an industry-leading team to carry out the study and, in turn, will execute the refueling mission by strategically harnessing the U.K. supply chain’s existing relationships from Astroscale’s program, ELSA-M, and from the COSMIC program to maximize benefits for U.K. industrial entities engaged in ADR. Key collaborators include:
Thales Alenia Space U.K.: Renowned for their global expertise in space propulsion, Thales Alenia Space U.K. will spearhead the design of the servicer refueling subsystem.
Airbus Defence & Space U.K.: A globally recognised leader in managing complex space missions, Airbus is assessing advanced in-space robotic technology based on their significant capability in Stevenage to develop the refueling servicer’s arm.
Orbit Fab U.K.: A world leader in setting the standard for in-space refueling missions, Orbit Fab will undertake the necessary modifications to their Grappling and Resupply Active Solution for Propellants (GRASP) to meet the mission’s requirements.
GMV U.K.: Bringing their expertise in ground segment operations to the table, GMV will delve into multi-mission flight dynamics to enhance the mission’ operations.
Astroscale is focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of all Earth orbits, and through the success of this feasibility study and also the COSMIC mission, the company aims to demonstrate how the satellite industry can be transformed from single-use missions to multi-use modular, upgradable platforms — thereby extending mission lifespans, protecting critical national infrastructure, and opening up new possibilities for the entire In-Orbit Servicing Market (IOSM).
“This feasibility study win from the U.K. Space Agency marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future beyond our planet,” said Nick Shave, Managing Director Astroscale U.K. and Chair of the U.K.space IOSM Committee. “Together with our expert consortium, we aim to pioneer in-orbit refueling and demonstrate the potential and value in extending space mission lifespans. Astroscale U.K. is committed to solving critical space challenges and making space safer for generations to come. The addition of this refueling demonstration project will contribute to growth and strategic leadership in the emerging In-Orbit Servicing Market. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the U.K. Space Agency in partnership to realize our collective ambition to create a sustainable space environment.”
“Until recently, satellites have been designed as one-shot items: non-refuelable with mission lifespans coming to an end when the satellite can no longer maneuver effectively,” said Ray Fielding, Head of Space Sustainability at the U.K. Space Agency. “By investing in innovations such as Astroscale’s adapted COSMIC spacecraft, the U.K. Space Agency is developing new capabilities for performing in-orbit tasks, such as refueling, and increasing the sustainability of space operations.”
“In-orbit refueling is one of the most challenging tasks to achieve in space but will bring immense benefits for more sustainable space operations,” said Patrick Wood, SVP Space Systems U.K., Airbus Defence and Space. “We will focus our expertise in advanced space robotics and spacecraft propulsion systems on this study and continue to further support and widen the overall space ecosystem in the U.K.”