Space USB: The Universal Connector That Could End Space Junk

Satellites running out of fuel or sustaining damage are commonly abandoned in orbit to become space debris.

To combat this waste, a European research team has developed a universal hardware connector called Space USB to enable in-orbit repairs.

The project launched on Jan. 1, 2024, and concluded on Dec. 31, 2025. A team of scientists coordinated by Raphael Boissonnade of Thales Alenia Space France built the interface, Xataka reported.

The design mirrors terrestrial USB systems by establishing a common interface for different satellite technologies. The hardware aims to be lightweight, compact, and quick to attach using minimal physical force.

Following the two-year development phase, researchers manufactured a test device for laboratory trials. The prototype was tested with three standard robotic connectors built by different European firms: HOTDOCK, SIROM, and iSSI.

These individual systems transfer mechanical loads, electrical power, and data between modules. However, they previously operated exclusively within their own proprietary technology families.

The Space USB prototype successfully bridged that operational gap in testing. It allowed systems like HOTDOCK and SIROM to exchange data and power despite their different native architectures.

Widespread adoption of universal orbital connectors could facilitate the work of space construction robots. Caltech recently tested such a robot as a pioneering institution.

The prototype currently sits at Technology Readiness Level 3. This means the hardware has been tested in a laboratory without simulating extreme space parameters such as vacuum conditions or solar radiation.

The initial test connector is larger than the planned final version. Further testing will determine how the interface performs in its intended destination.

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