Polish space technology will be used in a European demonstration mission of orbital satellite refueling. Creotech Instruments has been selected by OrbitFab – one of the world pioneers in commercial orbital refueling technologies – to participate in the Astral project, carried out in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA).
Under the Astral project, the Polish company will deliver two proprietary HyperSat satellite platforms, forming the basis for the servicing spacecraft (Servicer) and the target spacecraft (Target). In the initial launch configuration, the units will be launched as an integrated piggy-back stack, connected by a docking interface. After reaching the target orbit, they will perform a series of experiments including fuel transfer, separation, approach maneuvers and re-docking.
A mission to demonstrate orbital servicing
The Astral project is a European endeavor aimed at developing in-orbit servicing (IOS) technologies. The scope of such solutions includes autonomous docking, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) – i.e. precise maneuvering, approaching and safe physical connection of two satellites on the same orbit – as well as fuel transfer between them. In the future, these technologies are expected to extend satellite lifetimes, increase mission efficiency and develop a new segment of orbital maintenance services.
OrbitFab, the project leader and mission integrator, is a pioneer in orbital refueling infrastructure and holds contracts for satellite fuel deliveries, including for the United States Space Force. The Astral consortium brings together partners from the United Kingdom, Austria, Lithuania and Poland. Creotech Instruments will carry out the first phase of the project, valued at around EUR 250,000. The scope of work covers eight months and focuses on preparing system documentation for both platforms, including technical requirements, interface control documents (ICD) for the platforms, payload, ground segment and ground support equipment (GSE), as well as integration and test plans (AIT), risk assessment and licensing requirements. The mission is planned for 2028–2029.
Strategic importance for Poland and Europe
– The selection of the HyperSat platform by OrbitFab for the Astral mission confirms the maturity of our technologies and their competitiveness on the international space market. At the same time, it opens the door to the area of in-orbit satellite servicing, which in the coming years will be one of the fastest growing segments of the space economy. Participation in this project allows us to develop competencies that can be used in subsequent commercial and institutional space missions, strengthening Creotech Instruments’ position as a supplier of advanced satellite platforms for demanding and pioneering tasks – said Dr. Grzegorz Brona, CEO of Creotech Instruments.
The development of in-orbit servicing, covering refueling, docking and maintenance of satellites, is one of the key transformation directions of the global space market. These technologies can extend satellite lifetimes, reduce mission costs and increase efficiency in using existing orbital infrastructure. They also have strategic significance, especially in the context of the growing role of space systems in national security and resilience. The ability to extend satellite life without frequently replenishing constellations has both commercial and defense implications. Given NATO’s recognition of space as the fifth operational domain in 2019, satellite servicing and life extension become essential elements of defense planning and the resilience of space infrastructure used for security purposes.
Participation in the Astral project marks another step for Creotech Instruments in developing competencies beyond its existing – though strategic – activity of building satellites for military and civilian needs. The company already acts as leader and key technology partner in programs such as MikroGlob, CAMILA and PIAST, and gained experience in in-orbit servicing through the phase B of the InSPoC-1 mission and the ongoing RAVEN project. Astral extends these capabilities to satellite refueling technologies, an area that may become one of the important pillars of the space economy in the coming years.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. PTWP
