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Top 10 Orbit Cleanup and Space Debris Removal startups
Updated: April 15, 2024 | Editor: Boris Maslennikov | 19 |
Orbit cleanup startups are pioneering efforts to tackle the growing problem of space debris, which poses significant risks to both operational satellites and crewed space missions. They are developing cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to track, capture, and remove defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and other debris from Earth's orbit. By deploying robotic arms, nets, or harpoons, these companies aim to safely deorbit space junk, preventing potential collisions and mitigating the risk of further debris creation.
1
Country: Japan | Funding: $389.2M
Astroscale is developing scalable solutions across the spectrum of on-orbit servicing, including life extension, in situ space situational awareness, end-of-life, and active debris removal, to create sustainable space systems
Astroscale is developing scalable solutions across the spectrum of on-orbit servicing, including life extension, in situ space situational awareness, end-of-life, and active debris removal, to create sustainable space systems
2
Country: USA | Funding: $301.8M
Firefly Aerospace provides launch vehicles, spacecraft, and in-space services for small payloads. Firefly’s on-orbit services include deorbiting services to help minimize space debris. Firefly’s lunar lander is flying annual missions to the Moon with payload services customized to the technology and exploration goals of each customer.
Firefly Aerospace provides launch vehicles, spacecraft, and in-space services for small payloads. Firefly’s on-orbit services include deorbiting services to help minimize space debris. Firefly’s lunar lander is flying annual missions to the Moon with payload services customized to the technology and exploration goals of each customer.
3
Country: USA | Funding: $111M
LeoLabs is an aerospace company that supplies and provides low Earth orbit mapping and space situational awareness services.
LeoLabs is an aerospace company that supplies and provides low Earth orbit mapping and space situational awareness services.
4
Country: Switzerland | Funding: $34M
ClearSpace provides sustainable in-orbit services, develops on-orbit technologies and provides services for non-functional satellites in orbit.
ClearSpace provides sustainable in-orbit services, develops on-orbit technologies and provides services for non-functional satellites in orbit.
5
Country: USA | Funding: $31M
Starfish Space develops and manufactures autonomous space vehicles that perform in-orbit, satellite servicing missions.
Starfish Space develops and manufactures autonomous space vehicles that perform in-orbit, satellite servicing missions.
6
Country: France | Funding: €14M
Look Up Space provide space safety and security data & services of unprecedented quality, with a sovereign and secure sensor network.
Look Up Space provide space safety and security data & services of unprecedented quality, with a sovereign and secure sensor network.
7
Country: India | Funding: $12.6M
Digantara is building a one-of-a-kind in-orbit device to track debris that dangerously hurtle around in space
Digantara is building a one-of-a-kind in-orbit device to track debris that dangerously hurtle around in space
8
Country: Japan | Funding: ¥1.9B
EX-Fusion develops the first commercial laser based nuclear fusion reactor for power generation.
EX-Fusion develops the first commercial laser based nuclear fusion reactor for power generation.
9
Country: Germany | Funding: €8.5M
Vyoma helps in increasing confidence in space with real-time debris observations and AI, for safe and automated satellite operations.
Vyoma helps in increasing confidence in space with real-time debris observations and AI, for safe and automated satellite operations.
10
Country: Ukraine | Funding: $4M
Kurs Orbital enables satellite life extension and space debris removal missions, securing safe and sustainable orbits for generations.
Kurs Orbital enables satellite life extension and space debris removal missions, securing safe and sustainable orbits for generations.
11
Country: USA | Funding: $279K
KMI is a space solutions company developing hardware and software technologies to rendezvous, retrieve, and relocate Resident Space Objects.
KMI is a space solutions company developing hardware and software technologies to rendezvous, retrieve, and relocate Resident Space Objects.
12
Country: Russia
Orbital Express intends to democratize space logistics from in-orbit satellite services to interplanetary missions for sustainable space exploration that enables new markets In-Space Economy sector.
Orbital Express intends to democratize space logistics from in-orbit satellite services to interplanetary missions for sustainable space exploration that enables new markets In-Space Economy sector.
13
Country: USA
Privateer develops data infrastructure to power sustainable growth for the new space economy.
Privateer develops data infrastructure to power sustainable growth for the new space economy.
14
Country: Australia
Exodus is an early stage company working on a new, versatile and scalable solution for Space Debris, the legacy of 60 years of spaceflight.
Exodus is an early stage company working on a new, versatile and scalable solution for Space Debris, the legacy of 60 years of spaceflight.
15
Country: Netherlands
Ecosmic is addressing the issue of space debris by inventing plug-and-play cutting-edge technology.
Ecosmic is addressing the issue of space debris by inventing plug-and-play cutting-edge technology.
