D-Orbit is the market leader in space logistics and transportation, with a track record of space-proven technologies and successful missions.
Interview with Lorenzo Ferrario, CTO at D-ORBIT.
A brief description of the company and its activities.
Lorenzo Ferrario: The space economy is at a turning point, with more private companies entering the market than ever before. Our role is to provide the logistical backbone to support this growth, making space more accessible while ensuring its long-term sustainability.
D-Orbit is a space logistics company focused on creating the fundamental infrastructure needed for the sustainable growth of the space economy. Much like ports and railways enabled terrestrial commerce, we are creating, we’re creating the orbital infrastructure and services that will allow space businesses to operate more effectively.
Our approach streamlines every phase of space operations, from launch to end-of-life disposal. We help operators deploy their satellites efficiently, manage operations effectively, and dispose of assets responsibly. We have also developed services that enable smaller operators to bring their payloads to space without facing all the complexities of building and operating an entire satellite. Our services leverage proprietary satellite platforms, including our space transportation vehicle, ION Satellite Carrier, and our upcoming GEA servicing vehicle. These platforms are designed to perform diverse mission objectives, including satellite deployment and in-orbit data processing via our Space Cloud Services.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
L.F: We operate across several key lines of business, covering the entire space logistics sector.
Our In-Orbit Transportation services, powered by ION Satellite Carrier, deploy spacecraft into precise orbital positions using rideshare launches, adding last-mile delivery at a fraction of the cost of dedicated launches
Our Satellite as a Service offering provides a complete solution for companies wanting to operate in space without the complexities of satellite development and operations. Operators can scale from proof-of-concept missions to full operational capabilities with lead times as short as six months for an initial demonstration to 2-3 years for a dedicated satellite.
Finally, our Space Cloud Services leverage our orbital infrastructure to process satellite data directly in space, creating complex data flows between different satellites and turning raw data into actionable information that can enable a larger degree of automation of space operations.
Looking to the future, we are developing advanced In-Orbit Servicing capabilities through our GEA platform.
What’s the news about new products/services?
L.F: We recently announced a major milestone with the signing of a €119 million contract with the European Space Agency for the development of the RISE mission, scheduled for 2028.
The mission will validate key technologies and procedures needed for commercial in-orbit servicing through our GEA spacecraft, which will demonstrate capabilities to safely rendezvous, dock, and perform servicing operations on client satellites in geostationary orbit. With a mass of about 3,000 kg, including 800 kg of propellant, GEA combines sophisticated guidance systems, advanced sensors, and robotic capabilities to perform complex orbital operations like inspection, repair, refuel, and repositioning.
This development responds to the growing need for satellite life extension and improved return on investment. As the number of satellites grows, this mission will establish D-Orbit as one of the first companies in the world to offer commercial in-orbit servicing capabilities.
What are the ranges of products/services?
L.F: Let me focus on our core offering based on ION Satellite Carrier, as it provides a good example of how we develop comprehensive service portfolios around our technologies.
ION is primarily our orbital transfer vehicle, designed to transport multiple satellites into individual, customized orbital slots. However, we’ve developed it to be much more than just a space taxi. The same platform can host third-party payloads for various purposes, from short in-orbit demonstrations to full scientific missions, and includes powerful computing capabilities for our Space Cloud Services.
Each ION operates for 36 months or longer delivering tailored services to meet the unique needs of our passengers.
This approach – developing multiple services around a core technology – exemplifies our strategy across all business lines. We aim to maximize the value of our technologies while providing our customers with flexible, scalable solutions that meet their evolving needs. This is one of our driving forces, and the reason why ION, which has been the first commercial orbital transfer vehicle in history, remains the most successful spacecraft of its kind to date.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
L.F: The space logistics market is still in its pioneering phase, with only a handful of companies worldwide able to provide advanced orbital transportation and deployment services. D-Orbit has established itself as a leading provider in this sector, having successfully completed 16 transportation missions that have demonstrated the reliability of our approach and the maturity of our technology.
As satellite constellations grow, new challenges and opportunities arise. This trend is driving the development of our in-orbit servicing capabilities, which will enable operators to maintain, repair, and upgrade their satellites directly in orbit.
The ability to service satellites in space represents a fundamental shift in constellation management. Instead of replacing satellites at the end of their operational life or when they need upgrades, operators will be able to extend their lifetime through in-orbit maintenance and refueling. This approach not only improves the return on investment for satellite operators but also contributes to the long-term sustainability of space operations.
We’re positioning ourselves at the forefront of this evolution. Our ESA-backed GEA platform positions us on track to be among the first companies worldwide to offer commercial in-orbit servicing, shaping the next chapter in space logistics.
What can you tell us about market trends?
L.F: The first decade of the New Space economy brought miniaturization and reduced launch costs, enabling mega-constellations of small satellites, which provide global and consistent coverage of services that previously required long delays.
This transformation is now entering its second phase. With the space infrastructure in place, the focus is shifting towards developing value-added services that can leverage these new capabilities. The availability of frequent, high-quality satellite data is enabling new business models across sectors like precision agriculture, maritime monitoring, urban planning and emergency response.
The next challenge for the industry is to make these space-based services more accessible and cost-effective. This requires not just maintaining these large constellations efficiently, but also processing and delivering data in ways that create tangible value for end users. The winners in this next phase will be those who can bridge the gap between space capabilities and terrestrial applications, turning satellite data into actionable insights for businesses and organizations worldwide.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
L.F: Our Space Cloud Services currently represent a unique offering, enabling data processing directly in orbit. This groundbreaking approach transforms how space data is handled and utilized, providing actionable insights without relying on terrestrial systems.
GEA further revolutionizes the industry, turning satellites into reusable assets through in-orbit servicing. This paradigm shift will drive innovation in mission design and asset management, ensuring the sustainable growth of space businesses.