Speaker
Description
Refurbishment in the space domain refers to the in-orbit servicing of existing satellites through the replacement of degraded, aged, or non-functional subsystems with equivalent units, enabling life extension, mission continuity, and improved cost efficiency without full system replacement. Although several actors have proposed repair and maintenance solutions targeting critical subsystems, such as batteries, reaction wheels, gyroscopes, and payloads, the increasing complexity of modern spacecraft makes these operations extremely challenging, particularly when performed autonomously by robotic systems under strict safety constraints. This highlights the need for a paradigm shift toward modular, serviceable, and standardized spacecraft architectures aligned with real market needs.
Within this context, CIRCE (Circular Economy & Refurbishment for Space), one of the ESA’s ORUM (On-orbit Refurbishment Missions) concepts, is proposed as a mission concept that operationalizes in-orbit refurbishment through advanced robotic technologies. Building on ongoing ESA and GMV developments, including CAT robotic systems, CIRCE adopts a two-spacecraft architecture composed of a servicer and a prepared client satellite. Following joint launch and separation, the servicer performs rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), captures the client, even under moderate tumbling conditions, and executes refurbishment tasks using a robotic device, CAT or arm, and modular replacement units. The mission includes post-refurbishment validation and end-of-life disposal operations, contributing to debris mitigation and long-term orbital sustainability.
The viability of refurbishment as a scalable practice is strongly dependent on a client-driven market framework. Commercial operators require pre-validated, cost-effective, and replicable solutions, yet are typically reluctant to invest in upfront design modifications or R&D associated with servicing readiness. This creates a structural tension that places satellite manufacturers at the center of the transition. As second-level clients, they play a critical role in enabling the circular economy by embedding Design-for-Servicing (DfS) principles, modularity, and standardized interfaces into spacecraft platforms, while coordinating subsystem providers across the supply chain.
Stakeholder engagement is therefore essential and must begin with platform providers, whose early involvement ensures serviceability compliance, subsystem modularity, and alignment between spacecraft design and refurbishment opportunities. This approach guarantees that missions are not only operationally compliant but also future-proofed for in-orbit servicing, providing assurance to final operators and reducing lifecycle costs. In parallel, structured interaction with operators, enables the identification of high-value servicing use cases and prioritization of subsystems and payloads for refurbishment.
At system level, key trade-offs must be addressed. For client spacecraft, the balance lies between accessibility and modularity versus overall system efficiency and performance. For the servicer, trade-offs concern the number, type, and configuration of interfaces with the client, directly impacting accommodation and concept of operations.
By integrating technological feasibility, system-level design, and market-driven considerations, CIRCE establishes a coherent end-to-end framework for in-orbit refurbishment.
This positions refurbishment as a practical, scalable, and competitive solution, enabling the transition toward a sustainable and circular space economy.