Engineering scalable
infrastructure for space.
Our patent-pending approach: operating lasers from the stratosphere, at 30–40 km and above ~99% of the atmosphere. The optics of space without the cost of launch — a reusable, contactless platform for tracking, collision avoidance and debris removal.
- UV wavelengths — impractical from the ground; tighter beams, higher fluence on target
- Minimal atmospheric correction — above virtually all optical turbulence
- Lower power, compact system — far less energy lost on the way to the target
- Weather-independent — operates above clouds and weather
- No launch required — lower cost, faster deployment
- Reusable & recoverable — upgrade, repair and refly the payload
- Repositionable — relocate to match target orbits
- Zero debris created — nothing left in orbit
Next-generation radiators for high-power orbital systems. Our Quasi-LDR (Quasi Liquid Droplet Radiator) targets up to 10× mass and volume reduction versus solid panels, without the fluid-loss failure modes of classical droplet radiators. Lab prototype, TRL 3.
Lightweight, low-power soft grippers actuated by shape-memory alloys and designed for the extremes of orbit (−150 to +120 °C, hard vacuum). They conform to irregular, uncooperative targets for on-orbit servicing, debris capture and satellite assembly. Developed in collaboration with TU Delft. Vacuum-tested prototype, TRL 4.
& SSA
- cm-level ranging precision: precise orbit determination
- Smaller objects within reach, thanks to cleaner beam propagation
- Above clouds and weather: far higher availability than ground stations
- Darker sky background: less scattered sunlight, longer tracking windows
Avoidance
- Photon-pressure or ablation-based Δv: no propellant or hardware on the target
- Small pushes, applied early, shift a conjunction by metres or more
- A path to active space-traffic management
- Ablation-based Δv to lower perigee and accelerate re-entry
- UV wavelengths: tighter spot, ablation threshold reached at lower pulse energy
- No docking or capture: applicable to tumbling, uncooperative targets
- No launch, no new hardware in orbit
From the stratosphere
to orbit.
One focus: making orbit sustainable — from today's EU-funded demonstrations to full-scale deorbiting.
The concept of contactless orbital operations using stratosphere-based lasers originated in our founding team's research. Early work with specialists in high-power laser physics established its scientific basis for tracking, nudging and removing orbital debris from below orbit. Patent pending.
A first experiment in a relevant environment: laser ablation between two stratospheric balloons, 1 km apart at 35 km altitude. Part of STRATOLASER, a ~€4M EIC Pathfinder Challenge project (Horizon Europe, Grant Agreement No. 101223245) coordinated by AICIA and led by members of our founding team, within a European consortium of stratospheric-platform and high-power laser partners. Flight campaign planned for 2028.
Founded to bring contactless laser operations from the stratosphere to market, building on our founding team's research and its EIC-funded STRATOLASER project, alongside thermal and robotic technologies for sustainable orbital infrastructure.
Optical detection, AI-based target acquisition and fast-steering-mirror pointing: the building blocks of precise laser ranging and ablation, developed by our founding team and already running in the lab.
High-precision orbit data for SSA providers and satellite operators: complementing radar networks to sharpen conjunction assessments and reduce unnecessary manoeuvres.
Active collision avoidance through photon-pressure nudging, enabled by higher-power laser systems and our Quasi-LDR thermal architecture.
Ablation-based removal of derelict objects: lowering their orbits to accelerate re-entry, toward a sustainable orbital economy.
The people behind
the mission.
Deep-tech expertise from the world's leading space and robotics institutions.
PhD in Space & Aerial Robotics. Principal Investigator of STRATOLASER EU Pathfinder. Research experience at NASA JPL, TU Delft and EPFL.
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Specialising in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision and Software Engineering.
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Mechanical Engineering. Structural design, thermal systems and hardware integration.
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PhD in Aerodynamics and Robotics. Simulations, system modelling and dynamics analysis.
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Mechanical and manufacturing engineer specialising in fabrication and production processes for space hardware.
Director of the GRVC Robotics Laboratory and Scientific Director of CATEC. One of Europe's leading figures in aerial robotics and autonomous systems research.
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Associate Professor in Aerial Robotics at TU Delft. International expert in morphing aerial systems, manipulation and bio-inspired robotics.
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Team Leader of the High Energy Slab Laser group at the HiLASE Centre (Czech Republic). Works on high-power lasers for space debris tracking and mitigation, including ESA's OMLET and STRIDE projects.
Associate Professor of Flight Dynamics at Sapienza University of Rome. Expertise in orbital dynamics, mission analysis, and guidance and control.
What's happening
at FRV.
FRV Signs the Zero Debris Charter at ESA's Space Debris Week
FRV Space Technologies took part in Space Debris Week 2026 — organised by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) in Seville — and signed the Zero Debris Charter, formalising our commitment to debris-neutral space operations.
FRV Space Technologies Officially Incorporated
Incorporated to bring contactless laser operations from the stratosphere to the space market, building on years of research by its founding team.
Stratolaser EU Project Kicks Off in Seville
The international consortium behind the EIC Pathfinder-funded Stratolaser project gathered in Seville for its official kick-off — marking the start of a new chapter in active space debris removal.
READY TO SHAPE
THE FUTURE OF
SUSTAINABLE SPACE?
Whether you are a researcher, investor, space agency, or technology partner — if you share our vision of a sustainable orbital economy, we want to hear from you.