The potential for a significant market for Space Robotics exists. So far this market has not is been addressed. It is different from those of other commercial space sectors like communication or navigation. In all these areas we are looking at “space-to-ground” businesses, space assets are used to create benefits on ground. The application of space robotics leads for the first time ever to a new quality of business, which can be called a “space-to-space” business. Space assets are used to improve and optimize the operation of spacecraft.
Yet, space business is a very conservative business in the sense that technologies need to be demonstrated and verified (in orbit verification is often required) before they get accepted and adapted, especially by commercial operators. Unlike other technologies, like for example the topic of the second SRC, electric propulsion, robotics for maintenance, servicing and assembly of S/C is not established as standard technology.
Therefore, any demonstration of robotic intervention in orbit is a step forward to establish robotics in space business, for servicing operations. At the same time, the design of S/C that would benefit from in-orbit maintenance needs to reflect and support robotic intervention.
The current impact the PERASPERA-X is already measurable in the fact that the EC Call 2021 and 2022 address precisely the two subjects of: demonstration in orbit and modularity of spacecraft.
The future impact in the exploitation and potential use of the products of the SRC and the ensuing HE calls is manifold:
- On the one hand, the expected outputs of the SRC should be very welcome by satellites primes and industry involved in space robotics. The European added value of the SRC is the possibility of exploring ground-breaking space robotics applications and underlying technologies that are currently not allowed by the Agencies' more conservative development programs.
- On the other hand, institutional and commercial operators of satellites, especially fleet operators, will be able to adapt developments of this SRC and to prepare their future S/C for intervention by space robotic servicer. The current way of operating S/C in a kind of throw away mentality is not expected to change, unless robotic servicing of S/C has been demonstrated, as is the goal for this SRC.
- Due to the potential business case associated to the servicing of Telecom, Navigation or Earth Science satellites, the general public will be affected indirectly by the creation of jobs in Europe and the reduction in cost of the services provided by these satellites (broadcasting, communications, Internet, space imaging, etc.). The scientific interest associated to the planetary exploration missions (Mars, Moon, asteroids, etc), which robotics will enable, is also expected to attract the public interest in space in general.
- Finally, there is a considerable potential for spin-off, since most of the expected advances in space robotics (especially on the common building blocks track) will probably have a relatively direct implementation in industrial or commercial robotics in important and large market areas such as automotive, aeronautics, domotics (home automation), energy (e.g. deep-sea extraction) and medical sectors, just to name the more obvious.
