Space Safety
10/06/2026
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The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission signed a joint declaration on In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS), signalling a shared ambition to build European leadership in in-orbit servicing.
ESA and European Commission deepen collaboration in In-Space Operations and Services
The agreement, signed on 10 June at the Berlin Air Show’s Space Pavilion by ESA Operations Director Rolf Densing and Director for Secure and Connected Space within the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space Catherine Kavvada, formalises the intent of ESA and the European Commission to cooperate closely on the development and maturation of key technologies and mission concepts.
The joint ISOS activities will ensure the future competitiveness and resilience of the European space sector, providing Europe with strategic autonomy.
In-space operations and services: a new approach to space
In-space operations and services will extend the entire space sector beyond the present frontiers. Rather than relying on ‘disposable’ satellites, the future is also introducing orbital infrastructure elements that can achieve refilling, assembly, manufacturing, removal, repositioning, inspection, refurbishment and recycling in space.
This approach supports the transition towards a circular economy in space, allowing new operations and transportation paradigms. The improved sustainability and efficiency will go hand in hand with new commercial opportunities for Europe.
ESA’s RISE mission extends mission lifetimes in geostationary orbit
At the core of the new agreement lies a common objective: to ensure that Europe can operate independently in space, strengthening its technological leadership, competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
A central element of the cooperation between ESA and EC is the development of the EU’s In-Space Operations and Services for Infrastructure (ISOS4I) pilot mission. The mission, aiming for launch by 2030, will be an important milestone towards establishing a European in-space service infrastructure. Together, the way will be paved for routine servicing, maintenance and upgrade of satellites in orbit.
ESA’s technological track record, from concept to commercial promise
ESA brings decades of expertise with mission design, technology development and operations to the collaboration. Through its In-Space Servicing Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) activities, the agency has been driving the development of critical technical building blocks for in-orbit transportation and services, including robotics, close-proximity operations, servicing interfaces and modular spacecraft design.
By promoting interoperability and modularity from the outset, ESA aims to reduce the costs and resources needed, to improve safety and accelerate the emergence of a competitive European market for in-space services.
MICE and navigation aids on LUR-1
The In-Space Proof-of-Concepts (InSPoCs) incremental demonstrations being implemented by ESA Space Transportation will de-risk space transportation capabilities and foster shared interfaces in support of ISOS’s logistics and host pillars, moving, operating and refilling spacecraft. In parallel, ESA Space Transportation accompanies development of orbital transfer and demonstration vehicles including Astris, RAVEN and Space Rider.
ESA Space Safety is playing a key role in this effort through its Active Debris Removal and In-Orbit Servicing (ADRIOS) cornerstone missions. These missions are opening new markets for European industry while fostering sustainability and developing an in-space circular economy.
ESA’s ClearSpace-1 will be the first to remove an unprepared piece of debris from orbit, demonstrating critical technologies such as relative navigation and close-proximity operations. The Agency’s CAT mission will test capture and removal interfaces, simplifying future servicing and debris removal operations. And Rise will demonstrate commercial in-orbit servicing by rendezvousing with a geostationary satellite and extending its operational lifetime.
Together, these missions are already building essential European capabilities for in-space operations and services.
RISE: ESA’s mission extender in geostationary orbit
Collaboration essential for European leadership
The strong support from ESA Member States at the 2025 ESA Ministerial Conference underlines that the growing importance of In-space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities has not gone unnoticed. Contributions to ESA’s related programmes reflect a clear commitment to accelerating Europe’s progress in this domain.
In-Orbit Servicing: Target Capture
By joining forces, ESA and the European Commission are creating the conditions for a thriving European in-space service ecosystem. The partnership combines ESA’s technical excellence with the European Union’s policy, regulatory and funding frameworks, enabling a coherent and strategic approach.
Today’s signature at ILA sends a strong signal: Europe is committed to advancing together to secure its autonomy in space. Through joint efforts, the continent is positioning itself as a global leader in in-orbit servicing to ensure safer, more sustainable and more resilient space operations for the decades to come.
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