GEA is an advanced on-orbit servicing vehicle designed to extend spacecraft lifetimes, restore functionality, and support sustainable space operations. Its capabilities will be demonstrated during RISE, a landmark mission developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and scheduled for launch in 2029. This mission represents a major step toward European leadership in commercial satellite servicing.
During its initial GEO mission, GEA will demonstrate autonomous rendezvous, docking, and precision orbital maneuvering, validating its ability to safely interact with operational satellites. The platform is designed to deliver life-extension services at a fraction of the cost of satellite replacement.
GEA enables close-proximity operations through a high-performance propulsion system, high-resolution visual systems for real-time inspection, and robotic capture mechanisms that ensure safe and reliable docking. An integrated sensor suite combining thermal imaging, spectral analysis, and AI-driven diagnostics allows comprehensive health assessment and rapid anomaly detection.
Advanced dual-arm robotic manipulators enable on-orbit repair, component replacement, and upgrades, including solar array servicing and deployment mechanism recovery. GEA can also perform precise satellite relocation, optimizing orbital slots while minimizing fuel consumption.
In emergency scenarios, GEA provides rapid orbit recovery, capturing and repositioning satellites affected by misinjection or orbital drift. At end of life, the vehicle supports controlled disposal and graveyard orbit transfer, contributing to long-term orbital sustainability and responsible space operations.