Astroscale
On-orbit servicing and debris removal for sustainable space operations
Overview
Overview
Astroscale is a global leader in on-orbit servicing, life extension, and active debris removal (ADR) technologies. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Tokyo with a significant U.S. subsidiary in Denver, Colorado, the company develops spacecraft and robotic systems designed to rendezvous with, dock to, and service both cooperative and non-cooperative satellites. Astroscale's mission addresses the growing challenge of orbital debris and end-of-life satellite disposal, providing commercial and government customers with capabilities to extend satellite lifespans, safely deorbit defunct hardware, and refuel operational assets.
The company's End-of-Life Services by Astroscale (ELSA) program demonstrates technologies for debris capture and removal, while its Provisioner platform targets in-orbit refueling for national security missions. Astroscale has secured contracts with JAXA, ESA, the UK Space Agency, the U.S. Space Force, and commercial operators including Eutelsat OneWeb. The company went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in June 2024, reflecting investor confidence in the emerging orbital services market. With demonstrated rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) capabilities and multiple missions in development, Astroscale is pioneering the infrastructure required for sustainable, long-term space operations.
Products & Vehicles
ELSA-d (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale - demonstration)
Launched in March 2021, ELSA-d was a technology demonstration mission comprising a servicer spacecraft and a client satellite. The mission validated magnetic capture mechanisms, proximity operations, and rendezvous techniques for both cooperative and tumbling targets. ELSA-d successfully demonstrated multiple capture and release cycles in low Earth orbit, proving core ADR technologies.
ELSA-M (ELSA - Multi-client)
ELSA-M is Astroscale's operational debris removal spacecraft designed to deorbit multiple defunct satellites in a single mission. Under contract with the UK Space Agency and ESA, ELSA-M will remove a defunct OneWeb satellite from low Earth orbit. Launch is scheduled no earlier than FY2028 (from May 2027) aboard an Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocket. ELSA-M advances beyond demonstration to provide repeatable, cost-effective debris removal services.
ADRAS-J (Active Debris Removal by Astroscale - Japan)
ADRAS-J is a JAXA-funded mission to inspect and characterize a defunct Japanese H-IIA upper stage in orbit. Phase I, launched in early 2024, demonstrated close-range rendezvous and inspection, successfully approaching within 15 meters of the tumbling debris by December 2024. Phase II, awarded under an ¥12 billion ($81.4 million) five-year contract, will develop robotic capture and controlled deorbit capabilities. This mission serves as a proof of concept for commercial debris removal services.
Provisioner™
Provisioner is Astroscale U.S.'s in-orbit refueling spacecraft developed under a $25.5 million U.S. Space Force contract. Scheduled to launch in 2026, Provisioner will perform the first-ever on-orbit refueling of a USSF asset, demonstrating logistics capabilities critical to military space operations. The system is designed for scalable, flexible refueling missions to extend satellite lifespans and enable responsive space operations.
COSMIC (Commercial Servicing of Space Objects via Mission Extension and In-orbit Operations)
Astroscale is developing life-extension and servicing capabilities for commercial geostationary satellites, including inspection, relocation, and orbit-raising services. Strategic partnerships with operators such as SKY Perfect JSAT advance the business case for routine satellite servicing.
Track Record
Heritage
2013: Astroscale founded by Nobu Okada with the vision of securing sustainable space development.
2017: Established Astroscale U.S. subsidiary in Denver, Colorado, to pursue North American government and commercial contracts.
March 2021: ELSA-d technology demonstration mission launched aboard a Soyuz rocket, successfully validating magnetic capture mechanisms and proximity operations for debris removal.
2021–2023: ELSA-d completed multiple rendezvous, capture, and release cycles, demonstrating capabilities against both cooperative and tumbling targets.
January 2023: Awarded U.S. Space Force contract ($25.5 million) to develop the Provisioner in-orbit refueling vehicle.
February 2024: ADRAS-J Phase I launched, beginning inspection mission of defunct H-IIA upper stage.
May 2024: Announced plans to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
June 2024: Astroscale Holdings Inc. went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker: 186A), raising capital to accelerate operational missions.
August 2024: Finalized ADRAS-J Phase II contract with JAXA (¥12 billion) for active debris removal demonstration.
December 2024: ADRAS-J achieved close-range rendezvous, approaching within 15 meters of tumbling debris target.
March 2026: ADRAS-J (Phase I) completed operations after roughly 293 days of extended mission life and began controlled deorbit, concluding the world's first commercial debris-inspection mission.
February 2025: Astroscale and ClearSpace reached development milestone for dual-satellite deorbit mission under ESA and UK Space Agency contracts.
August 2025: Selected by Cambrian Works as mission partner for NASA Swift Observatory boost mission concept study.
November 2025: Secured contracts across JAXA, U.S. Space Force, ESA, UK Space Agency, and Eutelsat OneWeb for inspection, debris removal, and refueling missions.
December 2025: Awarded patent for docking and servicing of tumbling satellites, advancing capture technology.
January 2026: Japan Ministry of Defense awarded Astroscale contract to develop gripping mechanism system for national security applications.
March 2026: Selected Isar Aerospace as launch provider for ELSA-M mission (targeted NET FY2028, from May 2027).
May 2026: Formed strategic partnership with SKY Perfect JSAT to advance space infrastructure development and satellite servicing.
Roadmap
Roadmap
2026: Provisioner refueling mission will launch to perform the first on-orbit refueling of a U.S. Space Force asset, establishing proof of concept for logistics-as-a-service in military space operations.
NET FY2028 (from May 2027): ELSA-M operational debris removal mission will launch aboard an Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocket to deorbit a defunct OneWeb satellite, demonstrating repeatable multi-client ADR services.
2027: ADRAS-J Phase II will advance to robotic capture and controlled deorbit of the H-IIA upper stage, proving commercial viability of debris removal for JAXA and future customers.
Ongoing: Continue development of gripping mechanism systems for the Japan Ministry of Defense and expand servicing capabilities through the SKY Perfect JSAT strategic partnership to support geostationary satellite life extension and relocation services.