Astroscale
Astroscale gets funds for 2024 debris-removal mission
Astroscale has secured European Space Agency funding for a 2024 demo mission to remove what will likely be a OneWeb satellite.
Industry looks to decentralized approaches to space sustainability
As governments make slow progress on space traffic management systems, companies may be able work together more quickly to develop processes to support space sustainability.
Astroscale debris-removal demo makes close approach despite thruster issues
Astroscale said May 4 it made another close-approach rendezvous between its two ELSA-d spacecraft last month but ongoing thruster problems continue to hold up a capture demonstration delayed from January.
Astroscale to restart debris-removal demo with half the thrusters
Astroscale plans to resume an attempt to capture a satellite acting as a piece of debris in low Earth orbit despite losing half the servicer’s eight thrusters.
Astroscale preparing to restart debris-removal demo
Astroscale said Feb. 17 it is preparing to resume an attempt to capture a satellite acting as a piece of debris in low Earth orbit, after pausing the demonstration three weeks ago to troubleshoot undisclosed problems.
Astroscale pauses debris-removal demo following anomaly
Astroscale said Jan. 26 it has paused an attempt to autonomously capture an in-orbit satellite for the first time after detecting “anomalous spacecraft conditions.”
Orbit Fab secures deal to refuel Astroscale’s satellite-servicing robots
Astroscale U.S., a provider of on-orbit services to extend the life of satellites, has signed an agreement to use Orbit Fab’s in-space fuel tankers.
Third consortium gets UK funds to study potential deorbit mission
A consortium led by British small satellite maker SSTL has secured UK Space Agency funding to study a mission to remove two spacecraft from low Earth orbit by 2025.
Astroscale raises $109 million Series F round
Astroscale announced Nov. 25 that it raised $109 million from European and Japanese investors in a round it says will allow it to accelerate plans for active debris removal and satellite servicing.
Space companies forge alliance to reduce in-orbit debris by 2030
Ten companies and organizations from across the space industry have vowed to devise concrete measures for reducing the amount of in-orbit debris by 2030.
Astroscale and New Zealand to partner on space sustainability projects
Astroscale signed an agreement with the government of New Zealand Nov. 10 to study advanced concepts for orbital debris removal.
UK funds studies to remove two spacecraft from LEO
The UK Space Agency has awarded study contracts for a mission to remove two spacecraft from low Earth orbit by 2025.
Satellite servicing companies see different demand in LEO versus GEO
Developers of satellite servicing technologies expect interest in refueling and life extension to come from customers in geostationary orbit and beyond, while low Earth orbit operators instead seek end-of-life disposal services.
After technical demonstrations, satellite servicing grapples other issues
With the technical feasibility of satellite servicing now being demonstrated, companies and other organizations in the field are now grappling with other issues, from legal and regulatory challenges to the development of standards.
Rocket Lab to launch Astroscale inspection satellite
Rocket Lab will launch an Astroscale mission to rendezvous with a spent rocket stage in low Earth orbit, a prelude to eventually deorbiting the stage.
Astroscale complete first test of satellite capture technology
Astroscale has completed the first major test of technology to capture and remove objects in orbit by releasing and then recapturing a small satellite.
Ground station collaboration paving way for pioneering space missions
Ground station providers anticipate a new era of collaboration after coming together to support Astroscale, the startup months away from conducting the world’s first privately funded debris-removal demonstration.
Astroscale and rocket maker MHI team up to develop debris removal technology
Astroscale announced July 27 that it will be working with rocket maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on technologies to help clean up space junk.
Space executives: Regulations and incentives needed to curtail collisions and debris
Safe deployment of satellites is going to be increasingly difficult in the absence of globally accepted rules and incentives to make space a sustainable environment, industry executives said.
Astroscale breaking new ground for on-orbit servicing demonstration
Astroscale is joining forces with four satellite ground station providers to deliver the level of connectivity it needs for the world’s first commercial debris removal demonstration this year.
