Astroscale Secures Contract For Japanese Debris Removal Mission

Astroscale, a leading space debris removal company, has finalized a contract with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to conduct a groundbreaking mission to remove debris from orbit. This agreement marks a significant step towards addressing the growing issue of space junk, which poses a serious threat to satellites and other space assets.

The mission, known as ELSA-D, will utilize Astroscale's proprietary End-of-Life Services by Nanosatellite (ELSA) technology to capture and remove a defunct satellite from orbit. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2025 and is expected to demonstrate the feasibility of space debris removal on a larger scale.

 “We are aiming for an operating profit close to breakeven in fiscal year 2026 through further growth,” Nobu Okada, chief executive and founder of Astroscale.

"We are honored to partner with JAXA on this important mission, ELSA-D is a critical step towards addressing the growing problem of space debris, which threatens the sustainability of space activities for future generations."

The successful completion of the ELSA-D mission could pave the way for future commercial space debris removal services, offering a sustainable solution to the growing problem. As the number of satellites in orbit continues to increase, the risk of collisions and the generation of additional debris also rises.

This partnership between Astroscale and JAXA represents a significant step forward in the development of space sustainability technologies.