Infinite Orbits, repairing satellites in orbit
Infinite Orbits designs and operates versatile, mobile satellites to sell in-orbit services, in particular to extend the life of other active satellites.
Fact sheet
Date of creation: 2017
2020 turnover: in R&D
Workforce: 10 employees
Head office: Toulouse
CEO: Adel Haddoud
Website: www.infiniteorbits.io
How can we extend the life of thousands of satellites in orbit around the Earth? By maintaining and repairing them. This is the market in which Infinite Orbits has positioned itself. Founded in 2017, the Toulouse-based company designs and operates versatile, mobile satellites to sell services to companies that operate satellites in orbit.
“These are new needs”, points out CEO Adel Haddoud, “because access to space is now cheaper and we have developed the technology that allows for precise, close-up navigation.”
Two initial monitoring and inspection missions, without docking, have already been financed. They will be launched in 2022. Others, currently under negotiation, are planned for 2024, this time with a view to docking satellites.
Infinite Orbits has developed patented technology that allows it to design platforms that are “small, light, powerful and manoeuvrable”, explains Adel Haddoud. The articulated arms of the Infinite Orbits platforms are able to dock with a satellite that is ten times heavier, hold it and then manage its navigation. The company was selected in July 2021 by the CNES fast track programme, SpaceFounders. It also holds Bpifrance ESA Bic and Deeptech certification.
The company is aiming to raise several million euros in funding. This should enable laboratory testing of the second generation of satellites, which will be capable of independent docking. Infinite Orbits aims to achieve a turnover of several tens of millions of euros by 2026. It should then have about 50 engineers.
The help the company receives from AD’OCC through the Occitanie Invest event is felt to be ” invaluable in getting our message across to investors. Pitching is not our core business,” says Adel Haddoud.