The EU Space capabilities are entering a new phase, particularly in In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS). The landscape of 2024 brings forth a strategic initiative that builds upon established foundations, including the pioneering EU-RISE project – a 24-month research initiative focused on In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM).
The upcoming ISOS pilot mission, scheduled for 2025 under the Horizon Europe framework, represents a natural progression from EU-RISE’s groundwork. While EU-RISE is concentrating on developing an ISAM market analysis and a demonstration scenario with a consortium of 8 partners across 7 countries, the ISOS pilot mission expands this foundation into a broader operational framework.
This new initiative integrates multiple stakeholders – Member States, agencies, and industrial partners – in a coordinated effort to achieve three fundamental objectives:
• Build sustainable and resilient space infrastructure through demonstration of advanced technologies and services, enabling long-term operations in orbit and supporting future space missions.
• Create and stimulate market demands for commercial space services, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of service providers and proving new business models in the space sector.
• Establish the foundation of an EU service infrastructure in space.
The synergy between EU-RISE’s focused ISAM demonstrator development and the broader ISOS mission marks an important step in developing European space operations capabilities. This strategic alignment aims to strengthen Europe’s position in the emerging in-orbit economy, where several international players have already demonstrated initial capabilities.
The timing aligns with the increasing commercialization of space activities supporting New Space companies to demonstrate their innovative solutions. Europe’s coordinated investment in both foundational technologies through EU-RISE and operational capabilities through the ISOS pilot mission with different partners ensures a competitive position in the emerging space ecosystem. This approach not only advances technological capabilities but also creates substantial opportunities for European space enterprises, from New Space startups to established space industry leaders.
In-Space Operations and Services: EU’s Bold Space Vision for 2025 and Beyond
