ArcSpace Selected for European Defence Fund Project on In-Orbit Capture
ArcSpace has been selected as part of a European Defence Fund (EDF) project focused on advancing in-orbit mobility and capture capabilities.
The project, named TAC (Tactical-Capture) and coordinated by OSMOS X, brings together a consortium of 7 partners across 5 European countries to tackle one of the most complex challenges in space operations: capturing a spacecraft in orbit without prior preparation or cooperation.
A Breakthrough Approach to Non-Cooperative Capture
At the core of the TAC project is the development of a servicer vehicle capable of intercepting and securing objects in orbit, even without docking interfaces.
ArcSpace plays a central role by contributing its welding-based capture technology, enabling physical interaction with target spacecraft without requiring standardized docking systems. This approach represents a major shift in how in-orbit servicing and intervention can be performed.
Combined with plasma propulsion and advanced robotics, this solution opens the door to new operational capabilities in both defense and space infrastructure.
A Strong European Consortium
The project brings together leading research and industrial partners:
- ArcSpace – welding-based capture technology
- LPGP / CNRS – diagnostics and process control
- Politecnico di Milano & Politechnika Poznańska – algorithms and dynamics
- KINETIK Space – robotic integration
- Vimotek – sensors and simulation
This collaboration reflects Europe’s ambition to build sovereign, responsive, and resilient space capabilities.
Strengthening Europe’s Space Defence Capabilities
Over the course of the 30-month programme, TAC aims to demonstrate new ways to operate in orbit, particularly in scenarios involving non-cooperative targets.
For ArcSpace, this selection highlights the relevance of its technology in addressing emerging needs at the intersection of space operations and defense.
