space debris removal
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.
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.
ESA signs contract for first space debris removal mission
The European Space Agency (ESA) has finalized an 86 million euro ($104 million) contract with Swiss start-up ClearSpace SA to complete the world's first space debris removal mission.
Astroscale raises $51 million in Series E, $191 million overall
Astroscale Holdings Inc. raised $51 million in a Series E investment round, bringing total funding for the Tokyo-based orbital debris removal startup to $191 million.
Astroscale wins first half of JAXA debris-removal mission
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has selected Astroscale to send a spacecraft into orbit to inspect a discarded Japanese rocket upper stage, a step that would pave the way for a debris-removal mission.
Tethers Unlimited says early results of deorbit hardware test promising
Hoyt said observations from the U.S. military’s Space Surveillance Network showed the Prox-1 satellite deorbiting more than 24 times faster than before deploying the tape.
Iridium would pay to deorbit its 30 defunct satellites — for the right price
Iridium Communications completed disposal of the last of its 65 working legacy satellites Dec. 28, while leaving open the possibility of paying an active-debris-removal company to deorbit 30 that failed in the decades since the operator deployed its first-generation constellation.
Swiss startup ClearSpace wins ESA contract to deorbit Vega rocket debris
The mission, dubbed ClearSpace-1, is slated to launch in 2025 to capture and deorbit a 100-kilogram Vespa payload adapter an Arianespace Vega left in orbit after deploying ESA’s Proba-V remote-sensing satellite.
Astroscale, ClearSpace aim to make a bundle removing debris
Within a year, Astroscale plans to begin a complex series of demonstrations to show the startup’s spacecraft can grab a piece of space debris and dispose of it in the atmosphere.
Astroscale, ClearSpace aim to make a bundle removing debris
Within a year, Astroscale plans to begin a complex series of demonstrations to show the startup’s spacecraft can grab a piece of space debris and dispose of it in the atmosphere.
Debris removal missions face technical, legal and financial hurdles
Even if a company obtains government permission to collect a defunct satellite or spent rocket stage in orbit, the project raises legal questions.
Rise of the megaconstellations breathes life into active debris removal schemes
The megaconstellations promising global broadband service are heightening concern about orbital debris and creating demand for space-based trash collection.
