{"id":19166,"date":"2024-08-14T07:21:26","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T07:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/?p=19166"},"modified":"2024-08-14T07:21:26","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T07:21:26","slug":"from-poland-game-changing-in-orbit-refuelling-tech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/?p=19166","title":{"rendered":"From Poland, game-changing in-orbit refuelling tech"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Warsaw-based PIAP Space is aiming to extend the life of satellites with cutting-edge in-orbit refuelling solutions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Poland is about to shake up the space industry. Warsaw-based PIAP Space this week announced the launch (in every sense of the word) of a major new project, INORT (In-Orbit Refuelling Technology for Unprepared and Prepared Satellites), which aims to extend the operational life of satellites by developing advanced in-orbit refuelling technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine satellites that are still fully functional but forced out of service simply because they run out of fuel\u2014INORT, says PIAP, is here to fix that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/news\/the-future-of-manufacturing-in-cee-transitioning-to-a-high-tech-added-value-era\/\">The future of manufacturing in CEE: Transitioning to a high-tech, added value era<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/made-in-emerging-europe\/lithuanias-leading-role-in-laser-technology\/\">Lithuania\u2019s leading role in laser technology<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/made-in-emerging-europe\/nanowires-from-moldova-are-helping-us-better-understand-the-brain\/\">Nanowires from Moldova are helping us better understand the brain<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Funded by Poland\u2019s contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA), this project is a collaborative effort with the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network\u2019s Institute of Aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why does this matter? In-orbit refuelling is a game-changer for space exploration. It slashes costs by reducing the need for constant satellite replacements and supports more sustainable mission designs by cutting down on the number of deorbiting satellites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, the technology isn\u2019t just for future satellites\u2014it\u2019s designed to work with current models that were never intended to be refuelled in orbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently, Europe lacks a standard for refuelling satellites in space. INORT is stepping up to fill this gap by creating a comprehensive roadmap for an in-orbit refuelling service. This includes everything from developing the technology for proximity operations, docking (a specialty of PIAP Space), servicing, and disconnection, to creating docking systems for non-responsive objects and robotic arm control systems for precision tasks in orbit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the project will focus on in-orbit manipulation and fuel transfer technologies, dramatically boosting the capabilities of space services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sustainable space technology<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to be at the forefront of sustainable space technology with the INORT project,\u201d says Marcin Dobrowolski, CEO of PIAP Space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis initiative not only reinforces our commitment to responsible space operations but also propels innovation in satellite technology. We\u2019re crafting solutions that meet today\u2019s needs and pave the way for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Space Technology Centre at the \u0141ukasiewicz Research Network\u2014Institute of Aviation is leading the charge on refuelling technologies, including mechanical connectors and propellant transfer procedures. Meanwhile, its Unmanned Technology Centre is tackling the energy aspects of the mission, developing optoelectronic sensors for satellite localisation, and refining the manoeuvres required for docking and post-docking operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe ability to refuel satellites in orbit is a crucial leap forward for space exploration,\u201d adds Pawe\u0142 Surmacz, head of the Satellite Propulsion Section at the \u0141ukasiewicz\u2014Institute of Aviation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis technology can save millions by reducing the need to replace satellites and lowering the number of satellites that need to be de-orbited. And it\u2019s not just for the future\u2014this tech applies to both current and next-gen satellite models.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leading space exploration<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>PIAP Space has been a key player in developing robotic solutions for the space industry since 2017. Its track record is impressive. In 2022, it built a prototype chassis for the Sample Fetch Rover (SFR) as part of the NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission, aimed at bringing Martian rock samples back to Earth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The firm is also the prime contractor for ESA\u2019s advanced robotic arm project, TITAN, designed for precise orbital operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January 2024, PIAP Space announced that its prototype robotic arm model is being tested for integration into ESA\u2019s ARGONAUT lander project. This arm will be crucial for safely transporting cargo from the lander to the Moon\u2019s surface, enabling tasks like manned missions, equipment and material transportation, and autonomous lunar exploration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if that wasn\u2019t enough, the firm recently wrapped up the ORBITA project, which introduced specialised robotic grippers to enhance satellite servicing in orbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, with INORT, PIAP Space is not just contributing to the future of space exploration\u2014it&#8217;s leading it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Unlike many news and information platforms,&nbsp;<em>Emerging Europe<\/em>&nbsp;is free to read, and always will be.&nbsp;There is no paywall here.&nbsp;We are independent,&nbsp;not affiliated with nor representing any political party or business&nbsp;organisation.&nbsp;We want the very best for emerging Europe, nothing more, nothing less. Your support will help us continue to spread the word about this amazing region.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You can contribute&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/emergingeurope.krtra.com\/t\/NlQnFuOA2C9c\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. Thank you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emergingeurope.krtra.com\/t\/NlQnFuOA2C9c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/copy-of-add-a-heading.png\" alt=\"emerging europe support independent journalism\" class=\"wp-image-50811\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Warsaw-based PIAP Space is aiming to extend the life of satellites with cutting-edge in-orbit refuelling solutions. Poland is about to shake up the space industry. Warsaw-based<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[7731,7193,7733,7734,7736,7735,7732,9,7194,61],"class_list":["post-19166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-made-in-emerging-europe","tag-esa","tag-european-space-agency","tag-lukasiewicz-research-network-institute-of-aviation","tag-marcin-dobrowolski","tag-nort","tag-pawel-surmacz","tag-piap-space","tag-poland","tag-space-industry","tag-technology-innovation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19166"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19166\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}