Milestone Success June 11, 2026 /

ESA adopts ARRAKIHS mission with Satlantis as optical instrument prime contractor

ESA's Scientific Programme Committee approved the adoption of ARRAKIHS, a scientific mission designed to investigate the faint stellar structures surrounding nearby galaxies. The decision formally moves the mission from study into implementation and confirms its technical and scientific feasibility. Satlantis is industrial prime contractor for the scientific optical instrument, coordinating its architecture, integration and validation with an international consortium. The mission is expected to be ready for launch by late 2030 and represents an important role for Spanish industry in ESA's science program.

Why it matters

ARRAKIHS provides Satlantis with a significant institutional reference project in advanced scientific instrumentation. Successful execution could strengthen its credentials for future high-complexity European space science and Earth observation contracts.

The numbers

Camera count

4 cameras

The optical concept consists of two pairs of binocular telescopes, four cameras in total.

Source

Target launch year

2,030 yr

Expected to be launch-ready by late 2030.

Source

Coverage

1 report

Satlantis ·Jun 11, 2026
ARRAKIHS MISSION's ADOPTION APPROVED BY ESA's SCIENCE PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
The European Space Agency's Scientific Programme Committee approved the adoption of ARRAKIHS, a Spanish-led galactic archaeology mission. Satlantis serves as industrial prime contractor for the scientific optical instrument, responsible for its architecture, coordination, integration and validation. The mission completed its study phase and entered formal implementation, with launch readiness expected by late 2030.

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AI-assisted summary of 1 report; numbers link to their source. Spot an error? Tell us.

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Simulate Satlantis hardware

ESA's Scientific Programme Committee approved the adoption of ARRAKIHS, a scientific mission designe