🚀 At #ILA2026, during the Space4Future event, Stéphanie BEHAR LAFENETRE reflected on a decade of European investment in robotics and on-orbit servicing technologies – and on how those efforts are now becoming a reality.

Since 2016, the European Commission has continuously supported the EROSS journey through successive robotics-focused research grants within its Strategic Research Cluster. Today, with EROSS SC, we have reached a major milestone: technologies developed over the years have achieved the maturity required to be integrated into a future space mission, demonstrating their readiness for qualification against space standards.

As the consortium advances towards the Critical Design Review of the spacecraft and prepares the mission ground segment, the focus is shifting from technology development to operational implementation. This transition marks an important step towards bringing European on-orbit servicing capabilities into operational use.

The EROSS SC consortium is also proud to have contributed to the definition of Europe’s future In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) Pilot Mission. Seeing ISOS take shape demonstrates Europe’s commitment to developing autonomous servicing capabilities and establishing a unique vision for the future space ecosystem.

As leader of the EROSS project, Stéphanie also expressed Thales Alenia Space’s enthusiasm for welcoming the new projects joining this strategic endeavour. Building on the experience gained through EROSS, Thales Alenia Space is committed to helping drive the successful implementation of ISOS.

Bertrand Denis, Vice President and Head of the Observation, Science and Exploration Domain at Thales Alenia Space, highlighted:

“This will revolutionise the way we manage and maintain our space assets. These missions will not only enable satellite life extension in orbit, they will also play a crucial role in mitigating space debris, ensuring a safer and more sustainable space environment for future generations.”

The future of space is not only about launching satellites – it is also about maintaining, servicing and sustaining them throughout their operational lives.

#EROSSSC #OnOrbitServicing #ISOS #SpaceRobotics #SpaceSustainability #SpaceDebris #EuropeanCommission #HorizonEurope #ILA2026 #FutureOfSpace #EUSpace