Polish technology to support an in-orbit satellite refuelling mission

Polish satellite technology will be used in a European demonstration mission for in-orbit satellite refuelling. Creotech Instruments S.A., the largest Polish space mission integrator listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has been selected by Orbit Fab-one of the world’s pioneers in commercial in-orbit satellite refuelling technology-to participate in the ASTRAL project, carried out in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA). As part of the project, the HyperSat satellite platform developed by Creotech Instruments will form the basis of two spacecraft designed to demonstrate docking and fuel transfer in orbit.

Creotech Instruments S.A. will supply two proprietary HyperSat satellite platforms, which will form the basis of the Servicer spacecraft and the Target spacecraft. In the launch configuration, the two spacecraft will be deployed together as an integrated stack in a piggyback arrangement, connected via a docking interface. Once they have reached their target orbit, they will conduct a series of experiments involving fuel transfer, undocking, approach manoeuvres and redocking. The mission is scheduled for 2028–2029.

The ASTRAL project is a European initiative aimed at developing In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) technologies. These include autonomous docking and Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO)-precise manoeuvring and approach operations enabling two satellites in the same orbit to connect safely-as well as fuel transfer between them. In the future, such solutions are expected to extend satellites’ operational lifetimes, improve mission efficiency and support the development of a new market segment for in-orbit satellite servicing.

The selection of the HyperSat platform by Orbit Fab for the ASTRAL mission confirms the maturity of our technologies and their competitiveness in the international space market. At the same time, it opens the door for us to the field of in-orbit satellite servicing, which is set to become one of the fastest-growing areas of the space economy in the coming years. Participating in this project enables us to develop capabilities that can be applied in future commercial and institutional space missions, further strengthening Creotech Instruments’ position as a supplier of advanced satellite platforms for demanding and pioneering applications, says Grzegorz Brona, President of the Management Board of Creotech Instruments S.A.

International Cooperation on a pioneering mission

Orbit Fab is the project leader and mission integrator. The company is one of the pioneers in developing infrastructure that enables in-orbit refuelling and carries out satellite fuel-delivery contracts, including for the United States Space Force. The ASTRAL project is being implemented by an international consortium comprising partners from the United Kingdom, Austria, Lithuania and Poland.

Creotech Instruments S.A. is carrying out the first phase of the ASTRAL project, valued at approximately EUR 250,000. The Company’s eight-month scope of work focuses on preparing system documentation for both platforms. This includes technical requirements and interface control documents (ICDs) covering the platforms, payload, ground segment and ground support equipment (GSE), as well as plans and analyses relating to assembly, integration and testing (AIT), risk assessment and licensing requirements.

The development of In-Orbit Servicing services, including the refuelling, docking and servicing of satellites in orbit, is one of the key trends reshaping the global space market. In the future, these technologies could extend satellites’ operational lifetimes, reduce mission costs and increase the efficiency with which existing orbital infrastructure is used. They are also strategically important, particularly given the growing role of space systems in ensuring national security and resilience.

Participation in the ASTRAL project represents another stage in the development of Creotech Instruments S.A.’s capabilities, extending beyond its existing-albeit strategically important-activities related to building satellites for military and civilian applications. The Company already acts as a project leader and key technology partner in programmes such as MikroGlob, CAMILA and PIAST. It has also gained experience in On-Orbit Servicing through its work on Phase B of the InSPoC-1 mission and the ongoing RAVEN project. ASTRAL expands these capabilities to include technologies related to in-orbit satellite refuelling. In the coming years, this area could become one of the key pillars of the space economy.

The ability to extend satellites’ operational lifetimes without having to replenish constellations frequently is important not only commercially, but also strategically. Following NATO’s recognition of space as its fifth operational domain in 2019, the ability to service satellites and extend their operational lifetimes is becoming an important element of defence capability planning and of strengthening the resilience of space infrastructure used for security purposes.

Serving as a key partner in such a demanding project is consistent with Creotech Instruments S.A.’s strategy of developing advanced satellite platforms and increasing the Company’s participation in technology-intensive international space programmes.