Created: 2023-02-23
Updated: 2025-01-09
Company - Katalyst
Product/Service
- Classification
- Miscellaneous
- Category
- Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Space Robotics
On-Orbit Servicing
- Status
- Development
- First launch
- 2025
On-orbit servicing mission planned for military satellite in 2025, SpaceNews, 2024-03-27.
- In a mission targeted for 2025, a robot satellite in geostationary orbit around 22,000 miles above Earth will rendezvous with a military satellite and attempt to affix a new imaging sensor payload on the spacecraft.
- The servicing vehicle — equipped with a robot arm developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Naval Research Laboratory — will seek to connect the payload to the satellite’s launch adapter ring.
- The Mission Robotics Vehicle (MRV) that will perform this mission is being built by Northrop Grumman’s subsidiary SpaceLogistics. The company under an agreement with DARPA is equipping the vehicle with two robot arms designed by NRL with DARPA funding.
- Motiv Space, known for its space robotics expertise, is providing engineering support. Katalyst Space, which specializes in on-orbit servicing hardware, designed a “space domain awareness” sensor that gives a satellite greater visibility of its surroundings in the GEO belt, a crucial zone for military communications and reconnaissance spacecraft.
- Katalyst is also supplying a “retrofit attachment system” to facilitate the attachment of a payload on unprepared satellites. Lee explained the retrofit system allows a payload to be installed on the satellite’s existing launch adapter ring.
Space startups eye opportunities in the orbital surveillance market, 2024-09-03.
- Atomos Space, is planning two missions to GEO where its servicing vehicle will attach SDA payloads developed by Katalyst Space onto commercial telecom satellites.
- Plans to launch its next mission in 2025 using its Quark vehicle to service an undisclosed customer. As part of the mission, the Quark will install Katalyst’s Sight sensor on a telecom satellite
- A 2026 mission will deploy a new Katalyst sensor called Shield, featuring multiple nested sensing payloads.
Similar Organizations
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Early stage
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Traffic Management, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Resources - Space Debris Utilization, Transport Service (Earth-LEO)
Active, Concept
Astris, Susie
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Microgravity Research Payloads, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
InsureSat
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection
Early stage, Dormant
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Early stage
Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Hardware, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Inspect
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection
Active
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing
Development
OrbitGuard
On-Orbit Servicing, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection
Development, Launched
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Early stage
Vertex
Space Traffic Management, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Active
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Energy
Development, Cancelled
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Traffic Management
Active
Skylark
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Demonstrated, Launched
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Hardware
Development
OKAPI:Aether
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Orbital Transportation, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Reusable Satellite, Space Tug, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Hardware, Software
Development
Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Orbit Inspection, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Early stage
Tetra-5
On-Orbit Servicing, In-Orbit Inspection, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling
Development
The Great Eye
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
In-Orbit Inspection, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Satellite Life Extension, On-Orbit Servicing
Development
Crow's Nest, Pono
Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development, Launched
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection, In-Space Situational Awareness, Hardware
Development, Launched
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Traffic Management
Development
Slingshot Global Sensor Network
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Traffic Management
Development
Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Early stage
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Traffic Management
Early stage
OT-S, Optimus-1
Space Tug, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), In-Space Mobility, Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Space Assembly, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development, Launched
Worker Bee, Sutter Space Telescope
Space Tug, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Resources - Asteroid Mining, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Mining, In-Space Manufacturing, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Propellant Refilling, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Development
Jackal
Space Cybersecurity, In-Orbit Inspection, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Domain Awareness (SDA)
Development, Launched
Droid
Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development, Launched
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection
Development
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Dormant, Idea
Robotic Arm
Space Robotics, Robotic Arm, Hardware
Development
Valkyrie
Space Robotics, Robot Astronaut
Development
Software, Space Robotics
Early stage
In-Space Manufacturing, Space Construction Company, Space Robotics
Early stage
Active Space Servicer
On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Robotics
Early stage
S2
In-Space Assembly, Robotic Arm, Hardware, Space Robotics
Development, Launched
Commercial Rover, Space Robotics, Software, Hardware, Robotic Arm
Development
On-Orbit Servicing, Reusable Satellite, Space Robotics
Early stage
ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), Space Resources, Resources - Energy, Space Robotics, Robotic Arm
Development
LUNARSABER
Resources - Energy, Space Robotics
Development
SpaceDREAM
Robotic Arm, Hardware, In-Space Assembly, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Robotics
Development
Space Construction Equipment, Hardware, Space Robotics, Surface Mobility
Development
Canadaarm3, SKYMAKER
On-Orbit Servicing, Space Robotics, Commercial Rover, Resources - Energy, In-Space Assembly, In-Space Manufacturing
Development
Hardware, Space Robotics, Space Resources
Early stage
XLINK
Space Robotics, Robotic Arm, Hardware, In-Space Assembly
Demonstrated
In-Space Manufacturing, Space Construction Company, Space Robotics
Development
Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Robotics
Early stage
EROSS+, ORBITA, TITAN, PRO-ACT
On-Orbit Servicing, Robotic Arm, Hardware, Space Robotics, In-Space Assembly
Development
Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Robotics
Early stage, ?
Archinaut, Optimast, STAARK
In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Robotic Arm, Space Robotics, Hardware
Development, Cancelled
Space Robotics, Space Mining
Early stage
Orbots
Space Robotics, On-Orbit Servicing, Orbital Transportation
Development, Launched
Space Solar Power, Robotic Arm, In-Space Assembly, Space Robotics
Concept
Space Construction Equipment, Hardware, Space Robotics
Development
Walking Manipulator, HOTDOCK
In-Space Assembly, Robotic Arm, Space Robotics, Hardware
.jpg "Space Applications Services"){kind=logo}
Development
In-Space Assembly, Space Construction Company, Space Robotics
Dormant
Autonomous Maneuvering Unit (AMU), Astronaut Assist-AMU
Hardware, Space Robotics, Robotic Arm
Development
Space Construction Equipment, Hardware, Space Robotics
Development
Hardware, Space Medicine, Space Robotics
Demonstrated
EARTHLING™AMR
Space Robotics, Miscellaneous
Dormant
Bulldog Servicer
On-Orbit Servicing
Concept, Acquired
The Port, The Cutter
Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), In-Space Assembly, Robotic Space Station, Persistent Platform, On-Orbit Servicing
Development
In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Production, On-Orbit Servicing
Early stage, Concept
Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station
Development
Quark
Space Tug, In-Space Logistics, Resources - Energy, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling
Development, Launched
Supplemental Service Vehicle
On-Orbit Servicing, Satellite Life Extension
Development
ION
Space Tug, In-Orbit Computing, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), Orbital Transportation, In-Space Logistics, On-Orbit Servicing
Active
Active Space Servicer
On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, Space Robotics
Early stage
Hermes
On-Orbit Servicing
Concept
On-Orbit Servicing
Development, Launched
On-Orbit Servicing, Reusable Satellite, Space Robotics
Early stage
Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing
Development
OrbitGuard
On-Orbit Servicing, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), In-Orbit Inspection
Development, Launched
VEDA (Vehicle for life-Extension and Deorbiting Activities), RIG (Robotic Insert for satellite Guidance)
On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Commercial Space Station, Satellite Life Extension
Development
SpaceDREAM
Robotic Arm, Hardware, In-Space Assembly, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Space Robotics
Development
Hardware, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, On-Orbit Servicing
Development
ARCap Module
On-Orbit Servicing, Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Orbit Inspection, Space Tug, Hardware, Docking
Development
ARAM
In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Robotic Arm, On-Orbit Servicing
Development
DEORBIT
Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Assembly, Orbital Transportation
Development
SpiderFab, OSAM-1, SAMPLR
On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Assembly, Robotic Arm
Cancelled
Canadaarm3, SKYMAKER
On-Orbit Servicing, Space Robotics, Commercial Rover, Resources - Energy, In-Space Assembly, In-Space Manufacturing
Development
Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV)
On-Orbit Servicing
Active
RPOD Kit
Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, Hardware, Docking
Development
Standard Interface Docking and Refueling Port (SIDRP)
On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling
Early stage
Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing
Development
Satko
Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Development
Tetra-5
On-Orbit Servicing, In-Orbit Inspection, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Propellant Refuel Station, Propellant Refilling
Development
In-Orbit Inspection, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Satellite Life Extension, On-Orbit Servicing
Development
EROSS+, ORBITA, TITAN, PRO-ACT
On-Orbit Servicing, Robotic Arm, Hardware, Space Robotics, In-Space Assembly
Development
Space Truck
Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Manufacturing, In-Space Assembly, Transport Service (Re-Entry), Orbital Transportation
Cancelled, Development
Ranger
Transport Service (LEO-Moon), In-Space Communications Relay, In-Space Manufacturing, On-Orbit Servicing, In-Orbit Inspection, Beyond-LEO Remote Sensing, In-Space Logistics, Transport Service (LEO-GEO)
Development, Launched
Orbots
Space Robotics, On-Orbit Servicing, Orbital Transportation
Development, Launched
AstroLab
Space Tug, Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Logistics
Early stage
RoWo
Commercial Space Station, Robotic Space Station, Persistent Platform, In-Space Assembly, Transport Service (Earth-LEO), On-Orbit Servicing
Dormant
Smart Drone
Space Tug, Orbital Transportation, On-Orbit Servicing, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Robotic Arm
Early stage
Robotic Arm, Hardware, ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization), On-Orbit Servicing
Early stage, Dormant
Otter
Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Satellite Life Extension, Active Debris Removal (ADR), Transport Service (LEO-GEO), Hardware
Development, Launched
Refabricator, SpiderFab, LEO Knight
In-Space Manufacturing, On-Orbit Servicing, In-Space Assembly, In-Space Communications Relay, Robotic Arm
Cancelled, Launched, Acquired
Start, Cis-Lunar Transfer Vehicle (CLTV), IMAGIN-e
Space Tug, On-Orbit Servicing, Propellant Refilling, Propellant Refuel Station, In-Orbit Computing
Development
ROAMER
On-Orbit Servicing, Hardware, Orbital Transportation, Robotic Arm, In-Space Assembly
Early stage
ThinkPlatform-1
Commercial Space Station, Space Construction Company, Microgravity Flight Service (LEO), On-Orbit Servicing, Space Tug
Development, Launched
Droid
Active Debris Removal (ADR), On-Orbit Servicing, Resources - Asteroid Mining, Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
Development, Launched