The European Space Agency has announced that it has selected ArianeGroup, GMV Aerospace and Defence, MT Aerospace, SAB Aerospace and The Exploration Company to develop concepts that, if implemented, would give Europe an in-orbit storage and refueling capability. The agency announced the selection on October 9 at the Future Space Transportation Award ceremony in Paris. The selection took place within the second call of the InSPoC (In-Space Proof-of-Concepts) program. This program is divided into four challenges: in-orbit rendezvous and docking (InSPoC-1), in-orbit refueling and propellant management (InSPoC-2), on-board and shared intelligence (InSPoC-3), and containerization and cargo transfer ( InSPoC-4). The companies selected as part of the InSPoC-2 call are tasked with developing the necessary technologies to demonstrate the possibilities of in-orbit cryogenic propellant storage and replenishment, which could be used by future orbital propellant stores. ESA envisages that these technologies could be used by, for example, space tractors to extend their operating life in orbit. On October 9, the InSPoC-3 awards were also presented. OHB Digital Connect, GMV Aerospace and Defence, Zaitra, Huld and Orbital Paradigm are tasked with overcoming the challenges facing multi-purpose space tractors, including autonomous operation, advanced collaboration capabilities and space logistics coordination. The selected companies for both the InSPoC-2 and InSPoC-3 programs will now begin contract negotiations with ESA to continue developing their proposals.
source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/
