Capture Payload Bay
A satellite capture payload for ADR & servicing
What is ASSIST?
Robotics solutions for ADR, on orbit servicing and refuelling.
CAT is an active robotic payload, designed to capture medium and large size uncooperative and cooperative satellites equipped with a MICE mechanical interface:
Self-contained payload, designed to fit within a Launcher Adapter Ring.
Equipped with an optical navigation system to support close proximity operations
Able to perform compliant capture, braking, relocation and securing of cooperative and uncooperative targets.
- Customizable to other in orbit servicing capture and manipulation tasks.
For further information: please contact the team: [email protected]
CAT is the capture payload for medium and large-size satellites, working either with cooperative or un-cooperative target satellites. Its robotic assembly (parallel kinematics actuator + gripper) can safely capture vehicles equipped with MICE interfaces. CAT avionics and optical navigation system relieve the servicer vehicle from lower-level capture control tasks and provide reliable status and pose estimation information to the vehicle.
CAT is able to cope with capture, rigidisation/braking relocation and securing (by means of clamping devices) phases. It is designed to closely cooperate with servicing vehicle and mission control during proximity operations, target capture and release.
Able to perform compliant capture, relocation and securing of cooperative or uncooperative targets.
▪ Compatible with MICE mechanical interfaces.
▪ Equipped with an optical navigation system to support close proximity operations.
▪ Customizable to different in orbit servicing capture and manipulation tasks.
Developed up to TRL-4.
Modular fluidic interface engineering model under development (TRL-5/6 in 2026). Handling green propellants.
- ASSIST Engineering model under development (TRL-5/6 in 2027).
TRL-6 by Q1 2027.
TRL-9 by 2028/2029