ASTRALIS - The supply line in orbit

ASTRALIS is the reusable and autonomous logistics component of the European ISOS4I pilot mission for fuel transfer, cargo delivery and satellite upgrades in orbit. As an autonomous spacecraft, ASTRALIS takes over supplies from the launch vehicle, delivers them to the HOST platform and keeps the entire ISOS4I system operational. No maintenance, no servicing, no upgrades without ASTRALIS.

Europe is building a service station in space

Today’s spacecraft cannot be serviced, refuelled or upgraded. They are built, launched and eventually abandoned. This is costly, wasteful and not sustainable. ISOS (In-Space Operations and Services) is the European initiative set to change that. The goal is an infrastructure in orbit that actively supplies, repairs and upgrades satellites. Longer satellite lifespans, lower mission costs and less space debris need reliable logistics, Astralis will ensure that

Europe is driving ISOS forward as a strategic priority, as the foundation for a new in-space economy and as a contribution to Europe’s technological sovereignty. ISOS brings four specialised components together into one integrated system. ASTRALIS is one of them.

Why Europe needs to service its satellites

Our daily lives already depend on them: navigation, weather forecasts, secure communications, disaster response, precision agriculture – none of it works without satellites operating in orbit. When they fail, there is currently no way to repair or resupply them. They are simply abandoned.

ASTRALIS changes that. As the logistics spacecraft of the ISOS mission, ASTRALIS delivers fuel, spare parts and upgrades directly into orbit. It is extending the lifespan of European satellites, reducing the cost of new missions and cutting down on space debris. What is good for Europe is good for everyone who relies on a functioning space infrastructure every day.

ASTRALIS is not designed for the pilot mission alone. The spacecraft is built from the ground up to eventually handle last-mile delivery services, logistics beyond low Earth orbit, or the return of cargo and experiments to Earth. ASTRALIS and ISOS4I are the blueprint for a permanent European logistics service in space.

ISOS4I is Europe’s answer to a strategic question: How can space infrastructure remain maintainable, expandable and operational in the long term?

THE FOUR COMPONENTS

The ISOS mission is based on an adaptive, interoperable and scalable concept comprising four mission components.

LOGISTICS Component - The supply line. ASTRALIS transports satAPPs, fuel and cargo from the launch vehicle to the HOST platform. Keeping the entire ISOS4I system running.

HOST Platform - The orbital hub. A modular platform where logistics and servicer spacecraft attach, transfer fuel and cargo, and robotic operations are carried out. ASTRALIS delivers directly to the HOST.

SERVICING Component - The mechanic in orbit. Autonomously performs inspections, repositioning, refuelling and repairs on client satellites with supplies that ASTRALIS has delivered via the HOST.

satAPPs - Plug-and-play hardware modules that are physically attached to satellites to extend their capabilities or enable new functions. ASTRALIS transports them into orbit.

THE CONSORTIUM

Behind ASTRALIS stands a consortium of 15 partners from 8 countries: large industrial companies, research institutions and innovative SMEs from all over Europe. ArianeGroup leads the consortium as the coordinator drawing on decades of expertise in design, development, production and test of large and complex space systems such as launchers, kick stages and propulsion systems.

The consortium brings together Europe’s leading capabilities in large space system integration, autonomous rendezvous and docking, propulsion systems, robotics and spacecraft engineering. Specifically assembled to realise ASTRALIS as the logistics component of ISOS.

TIMELINE

ASTRALIS follows the ISOS4I programme schedule. The current phase covers system design, technology development and a ground demonstrator – with the goal of rolling out the service in orbit by 2030.

2026

Project start & consortium kick-off

2026-2027

System design & technology demonstration

2027-2029

Detailed design, build and test

2030

Mission deployment & service roll-out

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This project is funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. The views expressed herein are those of the ASTRALIS consortium and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.