TOKYO - ASTROSCALE and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signed a joint research agreement regarding the removal of space debris.
Under the terms of the agreement, ASTROSCALE will have access to JAXA’s technologies that examine the methods to approach and capture space debris. The technologies will facilitate ASTROSCALE’s development of ELSA-d, a technology demonstration satellite scheduled to be launched in the first half of 2019. ASTROSCALE and JAXA will also work together to validate the imagery of simulated debris obtained through the ELSA-d on-orbit mission. JAXA will not take direct part in the development, launch, or operation of ELSA-d, but will be involved in the research and development of relevant component technologies.
ASTROSCALE is a Singapore-based satellite services company that was founded in 2013 with the objective of developing solutions against the growing number of space debris. The company aims to raise awareness about space debris, craft new technologies to remove the most threatening space debris, and improve global knowledge about small debris that cannot be accurately tracked using existing technologies.
It is important for companies like ASTROSCALE to develop partnerships with national space agencies. Initially, these agreements will cover technology sharing. National space agencies will eventually represent a business opportunity for the companies as well. Cleaning space debris can be defined as a public good, meaning paying for its removal is something that benefits everyone, but will be too expensive for a single commercial player to justify the cost to its shareholders. Therefore, government agencies will likely need to take the lead on removing space junk. Companies like ASTROSCALE hope to position themselves to take advantage of that market.
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