Astroscale

Space companies face difficult investment environment
Rising interest rates are making it more difficult for space startups to raise money, some warn, forcing them to seek alternative sources of funding.

Kayhan, Astroscale, UT Austin win Space Force study contract for in-orbit servicing technology
Kayhan Space, and partners Astroscale US and the University of Texas at Austin, won a U.S. Space Force contract to develop software for in-orbit servicing vehicles.

UK shortlists Astroscale and ClearSpace for multi-debris removal mission
The UK Space Agency said Sept. 26 it has shortlisted groups led by startups Astroscale and ClearSpace for a mission to remove two spacecraft from low Earth orbit in 2026.

FCC considers new rules for emerging space capabilities
An inquiry into updating rules around space debris and emerging on-orbit services seeks to position the U.S. as a leader in an emerging space economy.

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.”