Grasping the Future: Why Robotics Will Define the Next Era of In-Orbit Servicing

The future of space operations will not be defined by launch vehicles alone. It will be shaped by what happens after spacecraft reach orbit. At the 2025 In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) Conference in Belfast, one capability emerged repeatedly as a critical enabler for the sector’s ambitions: robotic grasping.

As space missions expand beyond deployment into servicing, debris removal, and in-orbit assembly, the ability to autonomously and reliably capture objects in microgravity is no longer a niche requirement. It is foundational. Whether stabilising defunct satellites, assembling modular structures, or enabling long-duration missions, robotic grasping sits at the heart of how space infrastructure will evolve.

From controlled launch to autonomous interaction

Traditional space missions have largely followed a predictable pattern: design on Earth, launch once, and operate until fuel or functionality runs out. That model is rapidly becoming obsolete.

The next phase of space activity demands interaction. Satellites will need refuelling. Damaged components will require replacement. Large structures will be assembled piece by piece in orbit. Space debris must be captured and removed to protect operational assets.

Each of these activities relies on one core capability: the ability to approach, grasp, stabilise, and manipulate objects that were never designed to be handled. In microgravity, even a small miscalculation in force or timing can send objects drifting or tumbling uncontrollably.

Engineering solutions in this domain must therefore combine precision, adaptability, and fault tolerance. These are the same principles that underpin safety-critical engineering on Earth, where structured foundations such as health and safety training for engineers reinforce disciplined design and operation in high-risk environments.

Pioneering missions shaping robotic capture

Several organisations are already pushing robotic grasping from theory into operational reality.

GMV’s Capture and Attitude Transition (CAT) mission is developing robotic techniques for active debris removal. Capturing an uncooperative object in orbit requires far more than mechanical strength. It demands advanced sensing, relative navigation, and control algorithms capable of responding dynamically to unexpected motion.

Similarly, MDA’s Canadarm3 represents a significant evolution in autonomous manipulation. Designed to support deep-space missions, Canadarm3 aims to demonstrate how robotic systems can service spacecraft without continuous human oversight. Autonomy is not just a convenience in these contexts; communication delays make it a necessity.

ClearSpace is tackling the debris problem directly with a mission focused on capturing and deorbiting defunct satellites using a robotic gripper. Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, this work provides essential learning for future servicing and assembly operations.

These projects are not isolated demonstrations. Together, they form a foundation for how large, modular space structures may be assembled and maintained in the decades ahead.

Why grasping is harder in space than it looks

Grasping an object on Earth benefits from gravity, friction, and predictable contact forces. In orbit, none of these assumptions hold.

Objects may be tumbling. Surfaces can be irregular or damaged. Contact forces must be carefully managed to avoid imparting unwanted momentum. Sensors must function reliably despite harsh thermal and radiation environments.

Designing systems that perform under these constraints requires rigorous testing and validation. As with any safety-critical system, risk must be identified, assessed, and mitigated systematically. On Earth, this mindset is formalised through structured approaches such as risk assessment fundamentals. In space robotics, the same discipline applies, albeit under far more extreme conditions.

Bringing microgravity down to Earth

One of the most compelling insights from the ISAM Conference was the role of ground-based infrastructure in accelerating progress.

Before robotic systems ever leave Earth, they must be tested in environments that closely replicate the conditions of space. Simulation alone is not enough. Physical interaction reveals behaviours that software models cannot always predict.

The Satellite Applications Catapult’s In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing yard at Westcott represents a major step forward in this regard. The facility now features a state-of-the-art gravity offload system engineered by Amentum. Using an active overhead gantry suspension, the system simulates microgravity conditions, allowing engineers to test robotic grasping, docking, and servicing operations in a controlled environment.

This capability bridges a critical gap between digital simulation and spaceflight. It allows teams to observe how robotic systems behave under realistic loads, identify failure modes early, and refine control strategies before launch.

The importance of such facilities cannot be overstated. They embody a broader engineering principle: complex systems should be validated progressively, reducing uncertainty before exposure to irreversible conditions.

Safety and reliability before deployment

As the ISAM community grows, so too does the responsibility to ensure robotic systems behave predictably and safely. A failed capture attempt in orbit can create additional debris, damage operational assets, or jeopardise future missions.

Ground-based testing environments provide a means to stress systems under controlled conditions, exposing weaknesses before they become mission-critical failures. This mirrors best practice across engineering disciplines, where controlled validation underpins trust and certification.

Clear documentation, traceability, and communication between multidisciplinary teams are essential in this process. In terrestrial engineering, these behaviours are reinforced through structured learning focused on effective communication in construction and engineering. In space robotics, the stakes are higher, but the principles remain the same.

Building confidence across the sector

Robotic grasping is not only a technical challenge. It is also a confidence challenge.

Investors, insurers, regulators, and mission planners must trust that these systems will perform as intended. Demonstrations conducted in realistic environments help build that confidence, providing tangible evidence rather than theoretical assurance.

This emphasis on evidence mirrors how trust is built in other professional contexts. In education and training, credibility is reinforced through transparent outcomes and independent feedback, often reflected in resources such as a training provider reviews page. In space engineering, confidence is earned through demonstrated performance.

Enabling the next generation of space infrastructure

The long-term implications of reliable robotic grasping extend far beyond debris removal.

In-orbit assembly of large telescopes, solar power stations, and modular habitats will depend on robotic systems capable of precise, repeatable manipulation. Human involvement may be limited or entirely absent, particularly for deep-space missions.

As these capabilities mature, they will also influence workforce skills and career pathways. Engineers will need expertise that spans robotics, autonomy, systems integration, and safety engineering. This reinforces the broader case for adaptable technical careers, aligning with ongoing discussions about why engineering and trade careers remain a strong long-term choice in an era of rapid technological change.

A critical moment for ISAM

The ISAM Conference made one point abundantly clear: the sector is moving from conceptual discussion to practical implementation.

Robotic grasping is no longer a future aspiration. It is an active area of development, testing, and deployment. Ground-based facilities, collaborative missions, and cross-disciplinary expertise are converging to make in-orbit servicing viable at scale.

As these systems evolve, the focus must remain on reliability, safety, and validation. Space is unforgiving. There are no second chances once hardware leaves Earth.

By investing in robust testing infrastructure and disciplined engineering practice now, the ISAM community is laying the groundwork for a sustainable and serviceable space environment.

Grasping what comes next

The ability to grasp, stabilise, and manipulate objects in microgravity may seem like a narrow technical challenge. In reality, it underpins the entire future of in-orbit activity.

From debris mitigation to deep-space exploration, robotic grasping will define what is possible. The work being done today, both on Earth and in orbit, will shape how humanity builds, maintains, and protects its presence in space. As the sector advances, collaboration between engineers, researchers, and infrastructure providers will remain essential. The future of space will not be built in isolation. It will be assembled, one carefully controlled grasp at a time