Thales Alenia Space will join Space Cargo Unlimited to produce the first space factory, and they will open a subsidiary in Turin, Italy. Thales will be in charge of the vehicle’s design, development, and construction, which will be called REV1. Space Cargo Unlimited will be the owner and commercial operator.

Nicolas Gaume, CEO and co-founder of Space Cargo Unlimited, said about the plans to be developed that «the opening of our office in Turin -in the coming weeks- will allow us to place ourselves at the heart of the Italian space ecosystem and to work in an agile way with Thales Alenia Space in the development of our REV1». For his part, Massimo Comparini, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, noted that «this contract once again demonstrates our leadership in low orbit systems. We are delighted to offer Space Cargo Unlimited our unparalleled expertise».

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«This project will be crucial to enhance the technological capabilities of the European space industry. It will place both companies at the forefront of the new space economy through novel applications,» Comparini closed. Future plans of the companies include building a «service center» in Turin from where future spacecraft such as the REV1 can be overhauled, maintained, and repaired.

Thales Alenia Space designed and manufactured almost 50% of the pressurized volume of the International Space Station (ISS). It is the prime contractor for the joint Lunar Gateway project (NASA, ESA, JAXA, CSA). Thales also supplies the pressurized module for Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft. Gaume said that «it is precisely this unique expertise in Europe that we are seeking for our REV1.»

Space Cargo Unlimited plans to commercially operate a fleet of autonomous cargo vehicles with re-entry capabilities, seeking to exploit the potential of microgravity for commercial applications. The REV1 vehicle -a true floating pressurized space factory- will be used for specific missions, especially in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and materials science.

Space Cargo’s first REV1 vehicle is planned for the end of 2025. The design of the equipment will make it capable of being mounted on any launch vehicle used today. Its lifetime is 20 missions, with a loiter time of 2 to 3 months.