TITAN- Advanced Orbital Robotic Arm Completed by PIAP Space

Warsaw, April 10th, 2025 - What happens when a multi-million-euro satellite fails? Until recently, the answer was deorbiting and replacing the satellite with an entirely new one — a costly and time-consuming process. But a new solution is on the horizon. Thanks to TITAN — a cutting-edge robotic arm developed by the Polish company PIAP Space within a European Space Agency (ESA) program — in-orbit inspection, repair, and upgrades of satellites may soon become routine.

With the exponential growth of the satellite industry, Earth's orbit is increasingly crowded with active and inactive spacecraft. This congested environment raises the risk of malfunctions, collisions, and lost investments. Many satellites are still operational in terms of hardware but become unusable due to failure in just one component. Meanwhile, replacing them adds to space debris and skyrocketing mission costs. That's why autonomous in-orbit servicing (IOS) is rapidly becoming a strategic priority for ESA and the global space sector.

TITAN is PIAP Space's response to these challenges — a flagship project and one of Europe's most advanced robotic systems designed for on-orbit applications. The Warsaw-based company, acting as prime contractor and consortium leader, has just announced the successful completion of the engineering model and final testing. Funded by ESA with a €2.6 million contract, TITAN has now achieved Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6), proving its functionality in a simulated orbital environment. The system is now ready for integration into future servicing missions.

This high-precision robotic arm was developed explicitly for orbital operations such as satellite inspection, component replacement, docking assistance, and module installation. It has a 2-meter reach and 7 degrees of freedom, allowing for sub-millimeter accuracy (0.5 mm in positioning and 0.1° in orientation). A redundant architecture ensures uninterrupted performance—each joint features independent power lines, data buses, and thermal control to prevent system-wide failure.

TITAN's modular design also allows the arm to be equipped with various custom end-effectors, including multipurpose grippers, sensors, and tool interfaces. Its universal mechanical-electrical interface enables rapid configuration for satellite capture, cable handling, refueling, or orbital assembly. This flexibility makes it suitable for various use cases — from essential servicing to complex construction operations in orbit.

TITAN is also being adapted for the IOSHEX initiative — a joint project between ESA and SAB Aerospace. The goal is to establish a long-term in-orbit servicing platform in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), where robotic arms like TITAN will perform maintenance and refurbishment tasks. The IOSHEX module will remain in orbit for up to five years as a robotic service station, while the ESA Space Rider vehicle will deliver replacement components and return obsolete equipment to Earth for recycling. PIAP Space is responsible for providing a robotic arm capable of conducting precise operations in microgravity — including on-orbit part replacement and hardware disassembly.

Systems like TITAN are expected to be deployed before the end of this decade. PIAP Space actively contributes to upcoming ESA servicing missions and regularly presents its technology at major industry forums. TITAN will be showcased at the 3rd ESA Space Security Conference, held on 14–15 April 2025 at Kubicki Arcades, Royal Castle in Warsaw. The event will gather ESA leadership, government representatives, and space industry stakeholders to discuss the future of secure and sustainable space operations.

TITAN is another milestone in building European robotic competence, led by Poland. PIAP Space has already developed advanced solutions for planetary exploration, including the robotic arm for the ESA ARGONAUT lunar lander under the MANUS program. The company has also delivered a suite of modular robotic grippers (developed under the ORBITA project), contributes to satellite refueling concepts, and participates in developing next-generation In-Space Transportation Vehicle (ISTV). PIAP Space launched the In-Orbit Operations Community Poland, a national research and industry group focused on satellite servicing and orbital infrastructure — where it serves as the technology lead.