Europe develops a "Space USB", a universal connector to repair satellites in orbit

TechnologyInternationalXatakaNov 13, 2026, 3:01 PMAI summary

A team of European researchers coordinated by Raphael Boissonnade of Thales Alenia Space France developed the "Space USB", a universal connector for satellites. The project ran from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025. The prototype was tested in the laboratory with the HOTDOCK, SIROM and iSSI robotic connectors, and managed to link different technologies together. It is at TRL 3, without simulating space conditions such as vacuum or radiation.

In 40 seconds

Space USB seeks a common interface to connect satellites of different technologies and make in-orbit repairs easier.
The project ran from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025 under coordination by Thales Alenia Space France.
In the laboratory it connected the HOTDOCK, SIROM and iSSI systems, which normally only work with equipment of their own technology.

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IASummary generated by artificial intelligence from a story by Xataka. It may contain errors: the original source prevails.

espacio
satélites
Thales Alenia Space
Europa
hardware

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Europe develops a "Space USB", a universal connector to repair satellites in orbit

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