Leanspace for Vehicles of In-Orbit Services
In-Orbit Services (IOS) are advanced space operations aimed at improving satellite efficiency, sustainability, and lifespan. These services include Orbit Transfer Vehicles (OTVs) for precise satellite placement, proximity inspections, Active Debris Removal (ADR), satellite life extension, and refueling.
IOS platforms are typically custom-built, weighing over 500 kg, and equipped with specialized mechanisms such as docking ports, robotic arms, and high-efficiency propulsion systems. These services address market demands for greater operational flexibility, reduced orbital congestion, and enhanced space asset management.
Leanspace provides specialized software solutions to support IOS missions, significantly reducing risks, optimizing vehicle performance, and extending operational lifespans. Leanspace’s solutions ensure safer, more efficient, and economically sustainable space operations.
Common business drivers for IOS vehicles
IOS has barely been done before, with very few people pulling it off. It’s a difficult and risky new field with complex ConOps.
The best approach is for you to rely on a partner with proven tech. At Leanspace, we have a heritage of providing advanced software solutions to manage In-orbit service missions, having deployed our platform before with several customers.
We also have the expertise in-house in ground segment architecture and operations to support your team in setting up the software and the processes you need.
For IOS there are no standard satellite platforms. For the vehicle you’re building the platform, payload and subcomponents are very specific. Most of it will be built in-house, which carries a lot of risk and significant capex.
We can help put the odds in your favor by setting up highly specific software using the highly customizable Leanspace platform and our IOS-specific products. With Leanspace, you can get the most out of your mission while keeping costs down.
Some phases of the mission are low-risk and automatable, while others are highly critical, requiring a hands-on approach from engineers.
We have a unique approach to automation: put the operator in the loop and implement the automation step-by-step.
This allows you to begin with a manual operations strategy and start automating over time with confidence once things are clear. You can also have different automation strategies depending on the phase.
Growing from 1 vehicle to a fleet is an ambitious goal and something that will not happen overnight.
Each customer will be different, with different needs. In order for you to be successful, you need to have a business and operating model that can accommodate multiple missions flying in parallel. Many things will change over the years and flexibility is required from day-1. That’s why you need to have the same MOC infrastructure to accommodate and manage a range of missions.
With Leanspace, you can operate with a single environment or app for each mission, while still retaining the same common infrastructure between them. This allows you to reuse the same interfaces, data formats, and ConOps building blocks across missions – saving on costs.
Common ground segment requirements for IOS vehicles
In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) missions involve complex systems requiring extensive testing and high onboard autonomy, managed by advanced ground software. Missions have fixed durations and cover multiple orbital phases (LEOP, orbit raising, RPO, docking), needing reliable Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) support during critical maneuvers.
RPO phases demand precise orbital maneuvers, detailed planning, and extensive operator training through simulations. Additionally, active docking missions require coordination with customer Mission Operations Centers (MOC), adaptability to handle spacecraft changes, pre-approved operational procedures, and shared communication management. Missions serving multiple customers require flexible ground segments that can be grown, adapted, and quickly qualified.
Discover our range of products designed for in-orbit servicing missions
Empowering Industry Leaders and Change Makers
Kees van der Pols
CTO, Clearspace
Domain: In-Orbit Servicing
"Very quickly the configurability and connectivity of Leanspace's services has allowed integration with the various elements of the flight system"
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Olivier Piepsz
CEO, Prométhée Earth Intelligence
Domain: Earth Observation
"A spacecraft without high performance ground facilities is just a shooting star. Our partner Leanspace and its engineers are crucial to helping Prométhée protect the Earth and its environment!"
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Juan Carlos Dolado Pérez
Co-founder, Look Up
Domain: Space Situational Awareness
"Working with Leanspace’s services and teams, has allowed Look Up to accelerate the development of some of its solutions. The availability, proactivity, and technicality of Leanspace teams is definitively a great added value!"
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Rafael dos Santos
Project Manager, Infinite Orbits
Domain: In-Orbit Servicing
"Leanspace provides a range of services, modules and technical support to help us build our mission operations software. Their team is always extremely proactive in helping us and we at Infinite Orbits are very happy with our partnership!"
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Pierre Popineau
Digital Twin Development Lead,
Constellation Technologies & Operations
Domain: Satellite Constellations
"Working with the Leanspace solution has been a great experience. The platform is intuitive, well documented and easy to configure. We have been able to efficiently set up an environment to test telemetry and telecommands prompts for our systems using Leanspace's services."
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Philip Bracken
CTO, Quantum Space
Domain: In-Orbit Servicing
"A key factor in choosing Leanspace was its applicability to future Quantum Space missions beyond operating Scout-1 on the Sentry Mission."
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Technology that's designed to solve real-world problems
Escape vendor lock-in
Leanspace provides you with the application’s source code, giving you full control over who can modify it—whether it’s the Leanspace team, yourself, or any third party.
Embrace cloud technologies
Leanspace gives you the freedom to benefit from cloud native architecture in a safe manner that complies with your needs. Deploy on-premise or on your choice of public cloud providers.
Improved operations
Leanspace allows you to standardize and centralize data, enabling you to automate satellite and ground segment operations across all your assets, reduce human errors, and cut costs.
De-risk future missions
Leanspace gives you the power to adapt your ground segment, extend the value of existing assets, and run multiple missions in parallel without the need for duplication.
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