The Spanish company Added Value Solutions (AVS) has secured a significant contract, marking a major step in its ambition to become a prominent player in the high-performance small satellite market. On January 30th, AVS announced it had been awarded a study contract for the initial phases of the European Space Agency's (ESA) ARRAKIHS mission. This F-Class astrophysics mission, officially titled "Analysis of Resolved Remnants of Accreted galaxies as a Key Instrument for Halo Surveys," will utilize a binocular telescope in low Earth orbit to investigate galactic structures and enhance our understanding of dark matter.
The contract encompasses Phases A and B, focusing on preliminary spacecraft design and mitigating technological risks. While ESA awarded two contracts for this phase, the identity of the second recipient remains undisclosed. The final decision on a Phase C and D contract for spacecraft construction will be made in September 2026, with AVS vying for the opportunity.
This achievement represents a crucial milestone for AVS, known previously for its scientific instrumentation. Their first satellite, LUR-1, successfully launched in August 2024 on the Transporter-11 mission, carrying an Earth observation payload and incorporating deorbiting technology testing. "This contract is a powerful endorsement of smaller businesses and highlights Europe’s ability to embrace non-traditional players in flagship science missions," stated Miguel Angel Carrera, AVS chief executive.
He further added, “All eyes are now on this two-year competition phase, where we aim to showcase our capabilities and value proposition to ESA and all stakeholders.”
The ARRAKIHS mission will leverage AVS's LUR-100 bus, designed to accommodate payloads weighing between 200 and 1,000 kilograms. Although this bus has yet to undergo a flight test, Ramon Blanco Maceiras, head of space for AVS's U.S. subsidiary, anticipates substantial flight heritage by the 2030 ARRAKIHS launch date. AVS's strategic focus is on producing high-performance satellites for demanding missions, rather than mass-producing identical units.
The company's U.S. subsidiary, located in upstate New York, is actively involved in building its own satellites. Two satellites are scheduled for launch this summer, intended for spacecraft operator training by an unnamed university. AVS will also provide a ground station and mission control center to support the university's training initiatives, encompassing proximity operations and docking.