(Alliance News) - Leonardo Spa announced Wednesday that it has been selected by the European Commission to develop SCOPE, one of two specialized operational satellites under the In-Space Operations and Services (ISOS) program, an initiative funded through Horizon Europe and implemented in collaboration with the European Space Agency.

The project aims to establish a European orbital infrastructure dedicated to space operations and services, with the objective of strengthening the continent's technological autonomy and supporting the growth of the new space economy.

SCOPE will be designed to perform inspection, repositioning, robotic manipulation, and satellite refueling activities. The program will leverage the expertise of Leonardo and its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio in space systems, robotics, satellite platforms, ground segments, and sensor technologies.

Airbus, Indra, and GMV are also participating in the project.

The satellite will be based on a modular, interoperable, and multi-mission platform integrating two robotic arms, artificial intelligence, docking and refueling points, standardized interfaces, and a combined propulsion system.

The goal is to enable scalable and repeatable operations, initially for institutional missions such as Copernicus, with potential future developments in the commercial market.

Under the same program, Thales Alenia Space France has been chosen to develop the second servicer, named EROSS SC.

Leonardo will also contribute to the EPRIME consortium, led by The Exploration Company, which will build the orbital HOST, taking responsibility for the robotic systems intended for docking and assisted berthing operations.

Leonardo's shares were up 1.1% at EUR52.61 per share.

By Antonio Di Giorgio, Alliance News reporter

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