space debris removal
Senate passes orbit debris cleanup bill
The Senate passed legislation that would direct NASA to establish a program to remove orbital debris, but supporters of the bill will have to try again in the next Congress to enact it.
ThinkOrbital designing platform for in-space manufacturing, debris removal
ThinkOrbital, a space infrastructure startup, is designing an orbital platform aimed at commercial businesses, military and government agencies that want to manufacture products in orbit or recycle debris.
X Prize Foundation studying active debris removal competition
The X Prize Foundation is considering a prize competition focused on removal of space debris to spur technological innovation in the field.
Chinese official calls for protection of space assets, international coordination mechanisms
China needs to accelerate the development of space asset protection policies and related international coordination mechanisms, according to a space industry official.
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.
Industry looks to simplify policy challenges of orbital debris removal
Policy issues regarding active debris removal are not as difficult to overcome as many believe, industry officials say, but acknowledge that those challenges may hinder efforts to remove the most dangerous pieces of debris in orbit.
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.
Analysis: Space Force endorsement not enough to incentivize debris removal industry
The U.S. government’s indecision about how to manage the space debris problem is delaying private investments and efforts to develop space cleanup businesses, says a new white paper from the consulting firm Avascent.
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.
Space Force backs development of commercial orbital debris removal systems
A Space Force general endorsed the development of commercial systems for removing space debris, saying they can address congestion in Earth orbit without the policy concerns a government-run alternative might have.
