ORBES Unveils Exo-ORB: A Built-In Solution for In-Orbit Servicing
California-based ORBES introduces Exo-ORB, a 12U robotic inspector designed to launch with infrastructure to reduce the high costs of space station maintenance and spacewalks.
Built-In Maintenance
California-based startup ORBES has unveiled Exo-ORB, its flagship robotic inspector designed for the growing commercial space station and orbital data center market. According to Payload, the 12U, sub-26-kg unit represents a shift from current In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) models. Rather than launching dedicated rendezvous craft, ORBES intends for its robots to launch aboard the host infrastructure from day one.
The Platform Strategy
The Exo-ORB uses dual electric and cold-gas propulsion systems to navigate between 10m and 20m from its host. The current iteration focuses on high-resolution visual inspection, but future units will feature robotic arms for component replacement and repairs. This secondary market is vital as human crew time remains prohibitively expensive; NASA estimates ISS labor costs at $130,000 per hour.
ORBES is developing two tracks:
- ORB: Internal free-flyers for inventory and task management inside pressurized modules.
- Exo-ORB: External units for large-scale hull and solar array maintenance.
Roadmap to Orbit
Execution begins in early 2027 with a test flight of the internal ORB to the ISS to validate microgravity manipulation. This will be followed by a commercial mission in late 2027 or early 2028, where Exo-ORB will deploy from Symphony Space’s Adagio Platform.
CEO Anna Shaposhnik noted that the ride-along strategy eliminates the massive fuel overhead required for cross-orbital transfers. Beyond commercial interests, ORBES is currently negotiating an Exo-ORB mission with the U.S. Space Force and plans to debut arm-equipped units as early as 2028.