Robotics
Robots guided from orbit. Robots that work in orbit.
From field robots that navigate with fresh satellite maps to servicer spacecraft that dock with, refuel and assemble other satellites, built on our GNC heritage.
What stands in the way.
Three problems we hear from robotics teams again and again.
Satellites retire with fuel tanks empty
Valuable spacecraft are lost because they run out of propellant, not because they fail.
Debris is growing
Dead satellites and fragments threaten every mission in low orbit.
Maps go stale
Ground robots and drones rely on maps that may be months out of date.
Robots that navigate with fresh maps
Our imagery gives field robots, drones and autonomous vehicles current terrain and change information, and sends inspection robots to exactly where something changed.
- 01Image
Fresh satellite map
- 02Detect
Change or obstacle found
- 03Plan
Route computed
- 04Dispatch
Robot or drone sent
- 05Inspect
Data back to the team
- Final approach speed (simulated)
- 2cm/s
- Capture tolerance (target)
- ±5cm
- Route time saved (sample)
- 34%
range (m) · minutes · Sample data
minutes · Sample data
Rendezvous, docking and OSAM
We are developing the relative navigation and control for servicer spacecraft: approach a client satellite safely, capture it, extend its life, and in future assemble structures in orbit.
- 1Approach
Relative navigation from kilometres to metres
- 2Capture
Soft docking or robotic-arm capture
- 3Service
Refuel, inspect or repair
- 4Release
Client continues its mission
- 5Assemble
Future: build structures in orbit
Built for defence and for business.
The same data and engineering serve government missions and commercial operations.
Defence & Government
- Space asset protectionInspect and service strategic satellites.
- Debris removalCapture and deorbit dead objects.
- Autonomous ground vehiclesNavigate with up-to-date terrain.
- Inspection dronesSent to sites where change was detected.
Commercial
- Life extensionRefuel satellites to add years of service.
- In-orbit inspectionClose-up imaging of client spacecraft.
- In-space assembly and manufacturingLarge structures built in orbit.
- Agricultural roboticsField robots guided by crop-health maps.
What powers it.
The Norzva technology behind Robotics.
Relative navigation
Vision and sensor fusion for close approach.
Docking control
Precise, safe final approach.
Robotic arm control
Kinematics and capture dynamics.
Mission simulation
Full approach-to-release scenarios.
Where we are today.
We're open about what is ready now and what is still being built.
Available now
- Rendezvous and docking simulation studies
- Satellite-guided robot routing
In development
- Relative navigation software
- Docking ground test-bed
Planned
- In-orbit docking demonstration
- On-orbit servicing and OSAM missions
Questions
What does OSAM mean?
On-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing: repairing, refuelling and building things in space.
Is docking with another satellite safe?
Safety drives every step, with abort options at each stage of the approach.
Can field robots use your maps today?
Yes. Our imagery and change alerts can feed existing robot and drone planning tools.
When will you fly a docking mission?
A demonstration is on our roadmap after our pathfinder satellite.
Let's plan your robotics mission.
Tell us what you need to see or build. An engineer from our Robotics team will reply within two working days.
Other Norzva domains.
Every domain starts from the same constellation.