Posted: Sat, May 20, 2023, 10:11 AM ET (1411 GMT)
Thales Alenia Space has won a $256 million contract from the Italian government to perform an in-space servicing demonstration. The mission, scheduled for 2026, is intended to test a range of autonomous robotic operations on satellites already in low Earth orbit, although the company did not disclose details about the mission. Thales is working with several other companies, including Leonardo, Telespazio, Avio and D-Orbit. The mission is funded through $2.2 billion the government earmarked for the space industry as part of a pandemic relief package.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  Thales Alenia Space press release