Space Debris Management Solutions

The Japanese space-sustainability company Astroscale has unveiled a patent for what it describes as a new method for space debris removal. Astroscale has developed a distributed, reusable system that aims to be more cost-effective and agile than traditional approaches to active debris removal (ADR). The system is described in a U.S. patent for its "Method and System for Multi-Object Space Debris Removal." The new method involves a single servicing spacecraft docking with multiple large space debris objects, such as defunct satellites and spent rocket stages — and transferring them to a separate vehicle, dubbed a "shepherd," for controlled reentry into Earth's atmosphere, away from populated areas. This not only makes debris removal more cost-effective and scalable but also reduces the risk of debris surviving reentry and threatening people or infrastructure on the ground. "This patented innovation offers a sustainable and cost-effective distributed architecture approach to active debris removal, allowing for scalable, repeatable ADR operations and controlled reentry of multiple debris objects," Astroscale said in a statement. The system is also highly flexible, allowing different mission profiles depending on the object's size and risk. The shepherd vehicle can stay docked through reentry, detach and return to orbit, or be skipped altogether if the mission allows. "Our distributed architecture solves a key challenge in orbital debris removal by enabling the deorbit and reentry of multiple large debris objects sustainably and economically," Mike Lindsay, Astroscale's chief technical officer, said in the same statement. "This approach allows us to reuse our advanced servicers, capable of capturing and detumbling multi-ton objects, instead of burning them up with the debris upon reentry," Lindsay added. "This not only saves cost but also reduces the amount of potentially harmful material released into the Earth's upper conducted a stunning up-close approach and surveillance of a discarded rocket stage as part of its ADRAS-J mission. It is preparing to launch the ELSA-M space junk collector in 2026 and will also soon attempt refueling of U.S. Space Force satellites in geostationary orbit. Astroscale will also attempt to deorbit a bus-sized rocket stage with its ADRAS-J2 mission before the end of the decade. The company says its on-orbit servicing solutions support the secure and sustainable use of space for future generations. Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gxPB8RC5 #ADR #ADRASJ #Astroscale Artist's illustration of Astroscale's space debris removal system in action. (Astroscale)

Japan just cracked the code on cleaning up space junk without even touching it! Here's why this plasma propulsion breakthrough matters. Researchers at the University of Tsukuba developed a plasma engine that can deorbit space debris using contactless electromagnetic forces. The system generates plasma jets that create electromagnetic fields, essentially pushing debris out of orbit remotely. This solves the massive problem of physically grabbing spinning, unpredictable chunks of metal hurtling through space. With over 34,000 pieces of trackable debris threatening satellites and space missions, this technology could be a gamechanger. The plasma engine can target multiple objects without risking collision damage to cleanup spacecraft. Early tests show it can effectively alter debris trajectories from safe distances. This engineering marvel could finally give us a practical way to clean up Earth's orbital highways, making space safer for future missions and satellite networks. Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gejbAXuH

🛰 SPACE DEBRIS REMOVAL METHODS (6/6) 🛰 There have been many system engineering studies to find solutions to remove space debris over the last years. In this series I discuss the results of these studies, showing the pros and cons of some of the designed concepts. This week I discuss debris removal by capture, either by using a robotic arm or tentacles. Just like Gru from Despicable Me proposed: ‘I fly to the debris, I grab the debris’. Pros ✅ Applicable to wide range of shapes ✅ Possible to scale up to target multiple objects ✅ Short operation period ✅ High technological readiness level A big advantage of debris removal by capture is that there is little dependence on the shape or size of the target, making it applicable to a wide range of debris objects. The system can be scaled up to target multiple objects per mission. As the system shepherds the target to a lower orbit after capture, the operation period is relatively low, decreasing the probability of collision with another object. The technological readiness of all separate components is high and the system can be tested well on ground. Cons ❌ Rendezvous needed with each target ❌ System has to match attitude for spinning target ❌ Complex control system The biggest disadvantage of debris removal by capture is a rendezvous is required for each target. This costs the system a lot of fuel to reach a target, let alone reach multiple targets. Also, when the target object is spinning, the system should match the attitude of the object to make sure the capture system doesn’t break up during first contact. The autonomous close-proximity operations and attitude matching leads to complex control systems on board. ❓ Conclusion The low dependence on target shape, scalability and high technological readiness level make debris removal by capture the most logical for near-future applications. Although some factors of the process are still challenging, they are not impossible to overcome. This marks the end of my series on space debris removal methods! Next week I’ll give a final summary, showing what debris objects each method would operate most efficiently on. Did you enjoy these series? Let me know in the comments what other subject you would like to see a weekly deep dive in next. #activedebrisremoval #tentaclecapture #spacesustainability #orbitaldebris #spacedebris ———————————————————————  Hi, I’m Liam, a space sustainability enthusiast. Follow me for weekly posts on space sustainability, space debris and more! 

We often talk about sustainability in space as though it’s the gold standard. But what if that’s not enough? In “Forget space sustainability. The future is regeneration,” I make a bold case that sustainability is a holding pattern, not the finish line. Instead of accepting orbit as a grim dumping ground, filled with defunct satellites drifting for centuries, we should think of it as an ecosystem we can heal. Imagine launches that also remove debris, satellites designed to rendezvous with trash, or on‑orbit depots where materials are recycled into new spacecraft. That’s regeneration at work. These concepts aren't sci‑fi anymore. Companies like Astroscale, ClearSpace, Orbit Fab, and Nanoracks are already building the tools: magnetic grapplers, robotic arms, refueling stations, even on‑orbit metal cutting, to make this happen. Alone, each is significant; together, they pave a path forward. Yes, there are hurdles: the cost of cleanup missions, legal red tape under the Outer Space Treaty, geopolitical mistrust that frames cleanup vehicles as weapons. But the upside is huge, safer orbits, extended asset lifecycles, new circular‑space economies, even space‑based manufacturing using recycled debris. What if we treated space not as a warehouse to exploit, but as kin to care for? Indigenous knowledge systems teach us that restoring a river means tending, replanting, returning life, not just stopping harm. The same attitude belongs in orbit. Read here 👇🏾 https://lnkd.in/e5ZrTBWS