Enabling & Support
09/09/2025
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Earlier this year Loft Orbital (Loft) in France successfully launched its YAM-8 satellite aboard a SpaceX Transporter-13 mission from California. The launch marked the debut of the Longbow platform, a cutting-edge satellite solution co-developed with vital support from the European Space Agency’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) Element 2.
In this project, known as ROAD, ESA invested in the development of Longbow, one of Loft’s satellite platforms, to enable the company to fly more complex and varied missions with enhanced performance and reliability.
With additional support from the French space agency CNES, ESA’s GSTP co-funded the adaptation of the Airbus ARROW 150 bus into Loft’s versatile Longbow platform, capable of supporting in-orbit computing for AI applications.
The GSTP Element 2 is ESA’s co-funding technology development initiative, designed to accelerate innovative space technologies from concept through to in-orbit demonstration.
A large effort was also invested in developing satellite operation software abstraction layers, allowing Loft to rapidly integrate and operate any customer mission with minimal non-recurring engineering. Through ROAD, both ESA and CNES supported Loft’s mission to make space simple and more accessible.
Loft mission control in Toulouse, France
“The successful launch of YAM-8 showcases the impact of GSTP in accelerating European satellite innovation and supporting new space service providers,” said Eleni Adamou, the ESA R&D engineer in charge of the initiative.
“ESA’s technology programmes are proud to back commercial initiatives in demonstrating advanced satellite platforms that add tangible value to European space industry and its customers.”
Driving innovation through co-funding
“ESA’s GSTP is instrumental to the space economy. It supports private companies to develop commercial services, such as this one offered by Loft Orbital,” explains Damien Galano, ESA’s technical officer for this project. “This support de-risked the technology development and helped Loft Orbital bring a new powerful and flexible satellite platform to the European market.”
The final presentation of this activity was held on 20 June 2025.
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