Astroscale Demonstrates In-Space Debris Removal Technology

Astroscale Achieves Key Milestone in Space Debris Removal

Astroscale reached a significant achievement on Wednesday, successfully capturing and releasing a client spacecraft in orbit using a magnetic capture system. This demonstration marks a crucial step forward in the development of technologies designed to address the growing problem of space junk.

ELSA-d Mission Details

The End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration (ELSA-d) mission, launched in March, aims to validate Astroscale’s orbital debris removal technology. The mission utilized two spacecraft deployed via a Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan: a “servicer” and a “client” representing a piece of space debris.

Successfully docking with or capturing a client object presents a major hurdle for debris removal and on-orbit servicing. This test demonstrably validated ELSA-d’s capability to connect with a client, such as a satellite that has reached the end of its operational life.

The demonstration confirmed the servicer’s ability – mirroring Astroscale’s future products – to magnetically capture and subsequently release other spacecraft in a controlled manner.

Further Demonstrations Planned

This successful capture is not the end of the ELSA-d mission. Three additional capture-and-release milestones remain before the mission is considered fully validated.

The servicer will perform a release and recapture of the client from a greater distance.
Astroscale will then attempt a release and recapture while the client satellite simulates an uncontrolled tumble.
Finally, the “diagnosis and client search” demonstration will involve inspection of the client, followed by a recapture.

These subsequent tests will further refine and prove the robustness of the technology.

Addressing the Growing Problem of Orbital Debris

Astroscale is at the forefront of companies tackling the issue of orbital debris. It is the first to launch a dedicated debris removal demonstration mission.

According to NASA, over 27,000 pieces of orbital debris are currently tracked by the Department of Defense’s Space Surveillance Network. The volume of space junk is projected to increase as launch costs and related expenses continue to decrease, making debris mitigation increasingly important.