The main objective is to develop a standard interface that considers a set of connections that allow coupling of payload to manipulators and payload to other payload. The realization of a modular reconfigurable system depends, among other things, on interfaces, that includes mechanical interfaces connecting the blocks to one other, electrical interface for power transmission, thermal interfaces for heat regulation and interfaces to transmit data throughout the satellite. Multi--‐functional “Intelligent” interface will be considered to interconnect building blocks and also to connect to the satellite with a servicer. The standard interface will require standardization and modularization of the different components in an integrated form (where mechanical, thermal, electrical, data connections are combined) or a separated form. The standard interface shall allow building up large clusters of modules. APMs are considered for demonstration, validation and verification of all properties of the standard interface. An end-effector for a robotic manipulator will be designed according to the layout of the standard interface. The Modular Interface will take into account long duration missions, no logistics support and missions composed of multiple payloads and architectures. Main benefits: - Improve operational capacity - Reduced logistics with common and modular spares - Common maintenance standards - IF architecture flexibility: common infrastructure needed to support the modular design - Mission flexibility (configuration changes) - Standardizes mechanical, data, electrical, thermal Interfaces - Keep existing standards where applicable - Introduce in the design aspects related to interchangeability and interoperability The standard interfaces will allow to develop the SRC end goals. The output of this development will address the Future Low--‐cost EXchangeable/EXpandable/EXtendable SATellite, which targets the demonstration of robotics servicing technology.

Since commercial exploitation of satellites was endeavored more than 50 years ago (Telstar 1 in 1962), commercial use of space became a huge and very much strategic market, reaching ~50 billion of USD in 2004, and in the range of 256 billion of USD in 2013 (OECD global estimates, 2014). Fierce competition is to be expected in the worldwide space industry to obtain major shares of the key commercial space segments. Offering cost effective, performant, reliable, scalable and flexible solutions will be essential to make the European space industry spearheading strategic segments of the commercial space. The development of novel, European technologies that would allow standardizing satellites components, facilitating their assembly, reducing time between customer’s orders and commissioning in space, repairing and upgrading components directly in orbit instead of replacing entirely a deprecated or damaged satellite, would provide extremely valuable competitive assets to establish European leadership in a number of key commercial space segments. Leveraging the outcomes of the Space Robotics Technologies SRC building blocks (from Call 1 / OG1,2,3,4,5), this proposal (MOSAR) aims to develop, integrate and demonstrate such technologies required to enable a fundamental shift of paradigm with satellites (and more widely spacecrafts) manufacturing and commercial space exploitation. As a key driver, MOSAR intends to leverage know-how and standards already available in the European space industry for satellites (small / nano sats in particular), to facilitate the uptake of project results by future customers. Key representatives of that industry are part of the consortium.