How This Startup Plans to Fix Satellites That Were Never Meant to Be Repaired

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-25

It's a problem we've lived with since the dawn of the space age: a satellite breaks, runs out of fuel, or gets damaged, and that's it. A piece of technology worth hundreds of millions of dollars becomes just another chunk of hazardous space debris, zipping around our planet at thousands of miles per hour. That's the status quo ArcSpace, a Paris-based SpaceTech startup, is aiming to shatter. And they've just gotten a major boost to do it, closing a funding round of over $2.1 million to fuel their ambitious plans for in-orbit satellite repair, assembly, and servicing. Let's talk about why this matters. Space isn't just for exploration anymore. It's critical infrastructure. Think telecommunications, GPS, weather monitoring, and national security. When a key satellite fails, the ripple effects are massive. The traditional model has been a one-time-use, disposable approach. ArcSpace believes it's time for a change, and their backers agree. ### The Investors Backing the Vision The funding round was spearheaded by DEPO Ventures through its DEPO Ventures One fund. They were joined by SCE Freiraum Ventures, IRDI Capital Investissement, and a network of French Business Angels. Petr Šíma, a Partner at DEPO Ventures, put it plainly: "Artificial intelligence, defence technologies, and space are where Europe's future champions are being built." He highlighted ArcSpace's core promise: "ArcSpace offers a breakthrough solution capable of repairing satellites that were never intended to be serviced. This significantly reduces risk and strengthens the resilience of critical infrastructure our societies depend on." That last point is the real game-changer. Up until now, if a satellite wasn't specifically designed with service ports and standardized interfaces, it was doomed once something went wrong. Space agencies have relied on incredibly complex mechanisms with many potential points of failure just to manage a spacecraft's end-of-life or extend its mission. ### The Tech That Makes It Possible So, how does ArcSpace's solution work? Founded in 2022, the company has developed proprietary Electron Beam technology. Imagine a compact, high-precision tool that can weld, cut, and join materials directly in the harsh environment of space. It doesn't require any special pre-design on the satellite's part. The system can be deployed right aboard a servicing spacecraft and, crucially, produces no hazardous waste during operation. The company says it can work safely and precisely even in the deep vacuum of space, a claim backed by recent successful testing under extreme conditions like high-vacuum and intense mechanical vibrations. Guillaume Mohara, CEO and co-founder of ArcSpace, explained the shift in thinking. "The space industry has traditionally operated on a one-time-use model. When something failed, infrastructure worth a fortune was lost," he said. "We believe that the ability to manufacture, repair, and modify equipment directly in orbit is the only way to build a sustainable and secure space economy." ### What's Next for ArcSpace? This new capital is all about acceleration. The company plans to use the funds to: - Expand their team with new talent - Qualify their flight hardware for the rigors of space - Prepare for their first demonstration mission, slated for 2027 That 2027 mission is aiming for a world-first: demonstrating more than 100 seconds of fully autonomous welding aboard a spacecraft in orbit. If successful, it paves the way for bringing a commercial product to market by 2028. The roadmap is clear and ambitious: - Start with in-orbit servicing for life extension, de-orbiting, and dual-use missions by 2028. - Then, scale the same core technology to support the assembly of large structures in orbit and even on the lunar surface. - Ultimately, enable true in-space manufacturing. The interest is already there. ArcSpace reports that more than a dozen commercial companies are keen, and they've secured collaborations with heavyweights like the French space agency (CNES), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the European Defence Fund. It seems the industry is ready for a repairman in the sky.