PIAP Space
PIAP Space is a Warsaw-based space robotics company designing robotic arms, grippers, force/torque sensors, and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment for European Space Agency programs, European Commission R&D initiatives, and major European space prime contractors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersWarsaw, Poland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What PIAP Space does
PIAP Space Sp. z o.o. is a Polish space robotics company founded in 2017 as a spin-off from the ŁUKASIEWICZ – Przemysłowy Instytut Automatyki i Pomiarów (PIAP) research institute, headquartered in Warsaw. The company designs and manufactures space-qualified robotic subsystems — including the LAR Gripper, the modular ORBITA gripper family, the TITAN multi-articulated robotic arm for satellite servicing and deorbiting, force/torque sensors, satellite mock-ups, and the VELES UGV platform for planetary surface mobility — alongside a complementary Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) product line covering Ground Handling Adapters, Vibration Test Adapters, integration stands, clamp bands, and thermal-vacuum compatible fixtures used for satellite assembly, integration, and testing. Technology differentiators include Smart Skin 3D-printed protective skin with embedded sensing, vision-based navigation for non-cooperative satellite capture, and access to eight rover validation platforms for field testing. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and is a member of the European PERASPERA strategic space robotics cluster.
PIAP Space operates a project-based B2B revenue model with three streams: (i) sale of custom-engineered space robotics products, (ii) design and manufacturing of MGSE for satellite integration and testing, and (iii) engineering and R&D services spanning manipulation/gripping system design, vision-based navigation development, mechanical systems design and manufacturing, and field testing. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; revenue is concentrated in European institutional buyers — primarily the European Space Agency (TITAN, BIOMASS, RAVEN, Smart Skin), the European Commission via Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe (EROSS, EROSS+, EROSS IOD, PRO-ACT), and European space prime contractors Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space, and OHB, typically as a consortium partner. The company is majority-owned (approximately 96% as of April 2026) by Poland's state-owned Industrial Development Agency (Agencja Rozwoju Przemysłu S.A., ARP), with the ŁUKASIEWICZ Research Network – PIAP Institute holding a residual industry-investor stake; cumulative disclosed funding is approximately PLN 18 million (around EUR 4.4 million) across a 2019 share issuance and the 2026 ARP capitalization. Headcount stands at 45 specialists.
PIAP Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PIAP Space
- Legal name
- PIAP Space sp.z o.o.
- Website
- https://piap.space
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PIAP Space is a Warsaw-based space robotics company designing robotic arms, grippers, force/torque sensors, and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment for European Space Agency programs, European Commission R&D initiatives, and major European space prime contractors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PIAP Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space Robotics and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment
- NAICS
- Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
Keywords
Where PIAP Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Warsaw
- HQ country
- Poland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
PIAP Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Space Robotics Products: Sale of space robotics products including grippers, robotic arms, force/torque sensors, and satellite mock-ups. Products are custom-engineered for specific mission requirements.
- MGSE Design and Manufacturing: Design and manufacturing of technological equipment for ground integration and satellite testing including adapters, integration stands, and testing devices.
- Engineering and R&D Services: Services associated with technology research and development, design, manufacturing, assembly, integration and tests in robotics and mechatronics field.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Mid-level Electronics Engineer position |
| Subscription | Monthly | Senior Electronics Engineer position |
| Subscription | Monthly | Purchases and Supplier Relations Specialist |
| Subscription | Monthly | IT Support Specialist |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
PIAP Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PIAP Space designs, engineers, and manufactures space robotics solutions for orbital and planetary applications, including robotic arms (TITAN), modular and launch-adapter grippers (ORBITA, LAR), Force/Torque sensors, satellite mock-ups, and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) such as Ground Handling Adapters, Vibration Test Adapters, integration stands, and clamp bands. The company supplies these products and related R&D, design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing services to space agencies and prime contractors across Europe.
Product overview
PIAP Space offers space robotics solutions for orbital and planetary applications. The product portfolio centers on two core areas: (1) MGSE (Mechanical Ground Support Equipment) including Ground Handling Adapters, Vibration Test Adapters, integration stands, clamp bands, lifting devices, and thermal-vacuum compatible equipment for satellite assembly, integration and testing; and (2) Robotic Subsystems including the LAR Gripper for satellite docking, F/T sensors for robotic arms, and satellite mock-ups. Additional offerings include the VELES UGV mobile platform, eight validation rover platforms, and services spanning manipulation/gripping system design, vision-based navigation development, mechanical systems design and manufacturing, and field testing. Products are developed through European consortium projects including EROSS IOD, TITAN, ORBITA, and PRO-ACT, positioning PIAP Space as a supplier within the PERASPERA space robotics cluster.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MGSE (Mechanical Ground Support Equipment) Devices for satellite assembly, integration, and testing including Ground Handling Adapters (GHA), Vibration Test Adapters (VTA), integration stands, clamp bands, lifting devices, and thermal-vacuum compatible MGSE. Supplied to satellite primes for integration and testing campaigns.
- Robotic Subsystems Space robotics solutions including grippers, force/torque sensors, and robotic arms designed for orbital satellite servicing applications. Supplied to space agencies and prime contractors.
- LAR Gripper (Launch Adapter Ring Gripper) Gripper device for satellite berthing and docking operations, developed for on-orbit servicing missions including active debris removal and satellite servicing.
- TITAN Robotic Arm Multi-articulated robotic arm prototype for satellite deorbiting and servicing, achieving TRL 6 readiness level through shaker, thermal, and thermal-vacuum tests. Developed under ESA contract.
- ORBITA Modular Gripper Family Family of modular grippers for orbital and planetary applications including satellite capturing, satellite servicing, and planetary mission types. Developed as part of the ORBITA project.
- Satellite Mock-ups Satellite mock-ups for demonstration and testing purposes in on-orbit servicing demonstrations. Used in EROSS and other on-orbit servicing projects.
- VELES UGV Platform Highly off-road capable mobile platform with high towing capabilities and ability to carry heavy payload, designed for lunar base construction scenarios.
- ESA BIOMASS Adapters Three adapters for testing and integration of the ESA Biomass satellite — two for thermal testing and satellite integration, one for vibration testing. Achieved TRL 9 through successful operational use.
- Force/Torque (F/T) Sensor Force and torque sensor for robotic arm applications, used in satellite docking operations for future service missions.
- Smart Skin Technology 3D-printed protective skin for space robots featuring integrated sensors and embedded electronics for thermal management, dust protection, collision detection, and human-robot interaction. Developed with ESA funding through a Danish-led consortium.
- Validation Platforms & Field Tests Services Eight different rover types for validation of robotics technologies, with field test organisation, execution and data analysis services.
- Mechanical Systems Design and Manufacturing Mechanisms, structure and MGSE design and manufacturing services covering the whole product lifecycle from requirements definition to maintenance support.
Quantifiable outcome
- TRL 6+ achieved for TITAN robotic arm through full environmental testing
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PIAP Space
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PIAP Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
PIAP Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Thales Alenia Space FrancecoreConsortium leader for EROSS IOD project. PIAP Space develops LAR Gripper as part of European consortium for on-orbit servicing demonstration.
- European Space Agency (ESA)corePrimary customer and development partner for multiple projects including TITAN, BIOMASS, RAVEN, and Smart Skin technology. ESA provides funding and program oversight.
- AirbusminorAirbus is identified as a trusted equipment supplier and customer for space applications in telecommunications, Earth observation, navigation, science, and launch vehicles.
- AstronikaminorJoint production partner with PIAP and PIAP Space for LAR robotic gripper project under Polish Industry Incentive Scheme in ESA program.
- Polska Agencja Kosmiczna (POLSA)minorPolish Space Agency supports Polish space industry by connecting business and science, helping entrepreneurs obtain ESA funding, and promoting satellite technology development.
- European CommissioncoreFunding source for Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects including EROSS, EROSS+, EROSS IOD, PRO-ACT, and I3DS projects.
- Sener AeroespacialminorConsortium partner in EROSS IOD project.
- Space Applications ServicesminorConsortium partner in EROSS IOD project and coordinator of PRO-ACT project.
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)minorConsortium partner in EROSS IOD and EROSS+ projects.
- PERASPERAcoreEuropean strategic space robotics cluster ensuring compatibility of PIAP Space devices with European solutions.
- GMVminorInternational technology group partner in EROSS projects and PRO-ACT consortium.
- DFKI (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence)minorPRO-ACT consortium partner providing walking robot (MANTIS) for autonomous lunar base construction cooperation.
- Creotech InstrumentsminorPolish company founded by scientists from CERN, specializing in custom electronics for scientific institutions.
- Danish Technological InstituteminorLead partner in Smart Skin technology project for ESA, developing 3D-printed protective skin for space robots.
- Redwire SpaceminorConsortium partner in Smart Skin technology project for space robotics.
- AdmatisminorConsortium partner in Smart Skin technology project for space robotics.
- Hertz SystemsminorPolish company from Zielona Góra providing radar prototype for satellite docking system in I3DS project.
- OHBminorConsortium partner with OHB and DLR in STABLE project for Mars Sample Return mission.
- AVSminorPRO-ACT consortium partner providing mobile gantry for lunar base construction robot cooperation.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PIAP Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ClearSpace: ClearSpace is a Swiss space company developing capture and deorbit solutions for space debris, including the ClearSpace-1 mission for ESA. It competes directly with PIAP Space in active debris removal gripper and robotic manipulation technology funded under ESA programs.
- Astroscale: Astroscale is a Japanese-headquartered space company specializing in active debris removal and satellite servicing — the same core mission space as PIAP Space's LAR Gripper, TITAN arm, and EROSS IOD activities. Both compete for ESA and commercial in-orbit servicing contracts.
- Motiv Space Systems: Motiv Space Systems designs and builds space-rated robotic arms and end-effectors, including the Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDArm). It is a direct peer in robotic arm and gripper technology for orbital and planetary applications.
- Redwire Space: Redwire Space develops spacecraft subsystems including robotic arms (ROSA) and on-orbit servicing hardware, and is a consortium partner with PIAP Space on the Smart Skin project. It directly competes in space robotics and MGSE for European and US missions.
- Astronika: Astronika is a Polish space engineering company specializing in mechanisms, manipulators, and deployable structures for space missions, including joint work with PIAP Space on the LAR Gripper. It is both a partner and direct competitor for Polish ESA robotics contracts.
- D-Orbit: D-Orbit is an Italian in-space transportation and satellite servicing company developing orbital transfer vehicles and end-of-life services. It shares PIAP Space's focus on on-orbit servicing economics and serves similar European prime and ESA customer profiles.
Emerging players
- Space Applications Services: Space Applications Services is a Belgian space systems company coordinating the PRO-ACT project with PIAP Space and developing its own robotic and autonomy solutions for on-orbit servicing and lunar surface operations. It is a consortium partner and emerging peer in the European space robotics stack.
Broad incumbents
- Airbus Defence and Space: Airbus Defence and Space is both a customer (BIOMASS adapters) and a broad incumbent that competes across satellite manufacturing, in-orbit servicing concepts, and space robotics. It represents both the largest opportunity and the largest competitive threat for PIAP Space.
- MDA Space: MDA Space is a large Canadian aerospace company with deep heritage in space robotics (Canadarm) and a broad portfolio including satellite subsystems and on-orbit servicing. It is a broad incumbent that competes with PIAP Space on major servicing missions as a prime or upper-tier supplier.
- Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Kongsberg is a broad Norwegian aerospace and defense incumbent with growing space robotics capabilities and strong ESA/Norwegian Space Agency relationships. It overlaps with PIAP Space on European space robotics and MGSE opportunities at a much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PIAP Space social profiles
Digital presencePIAP Space compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
PIAP Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PIAP Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
PIAP Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PIAP Space M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PIAP Space
What does PIAP Space do?
PIAP Space designs, engineers, and manufactures space robotics solutions for orbital and planetary applications, including robotic arms (TITAN), modular and launch-adapter grippers (ORBITA, LAR), Force/Torque sensors, satellite mock-ups, and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) such as Ground Handling Adapters, Vibration Test Adapters, integration stands, and clamp bands. The company supplies these products and related R&D, design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing services to space agencies and prime contractors across Europe.
Is PIAP Space a public or private company?
PIAP Space is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was PIAP Space founded?
PIAP Space was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PIAP Space based?
PIAP Space is headquartered in Warsaw, Poland, in the Europe region.
How does PIAP Space make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Space Robotics Products are the primary driver. The others are MGSE Design and Manufacturing and engineering and R&D Services.
Who are PIAP Space's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ClearSpace, Astroscale, Motiv Space Systems, Redwire Space, Astronika and D-Orbit. Space Applications Services is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Airbus Defence and Space, MDA Space and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
Does PIAP Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for PIAP Space.
What industry is PIAP Space in?
PIAP Space's product category is Space Robotics and Mechanical Ground Support Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal). Its NAICS code is 336419 and its SIC code is 3760.