The European Defence Fund has selected French startup OSMOS X to lead a 30-month research project focused on orbital threat response. The initiative, supported by €4,500,000, involves a coalition of seven European organizations, including entities from France, Germany, Poland, and Italy.
The project aims to design a spacecraft capable of approaching and manipulating non-cooperative objects in orbit using techniques like in-space welding. The goal is to neutralize threats without generating debris. The final deliverable of the study will be a preliminary design review.
OSMOS X plans to launch its first demonstration mission by the end of next year to test a high-power propulsion system. The company estimates that a fleet of four satellites, with two vehicles replaced annually, would be sufficient to provide full coverage of geostationary orbit.
Separately, the startup has secured up to $35,000,000 from the US Department of Defense to conduct an in-orbit demonstration of its Astraeus vehicle. This prototype agreement supports the development of the company's cryogenic-maneuvering technology.
