PARIS — A European startup focused on space sustainability said it completed a successful in-orbit demonstration of hardware intended to capture and remove orbital debris, marking a positive milestone for efforts to reduce collision risks in low-Earth orbit.
The company said the test verified critical subsystems needed for rendezvous and proximity operations, including guidance, navigation and control functions that allow a chaser spacecraft to approach a target object safely. Such capabilities are a prerequisite for missions that aim to attach to aging satellites and guide them to a controlled reentry.
Space agencies and satellite operators have increasingly warned that congestion in popular orbital bands is raising the probability of close approaches and accidental collisions, which can generate more fragments and worsen tracking burdens. Demonstrations that show precise control near other objects are watched closely because they address one of the highest-risk portions of debris-removal missions.
The company did not disclose commercial terms tied to the demonstration, but said the results support planned follow-on missions and discussions with institutional and private customers. Industry analysts have noted that sustained demand will depend on regulation, operator incentives and the cost of removal compared with simpler end-of-life measures.
For now, the successful test adds fresh evidence that debris-removal is moving from concept studies toward practical operations, at a time when launch rates and the number of active satellites continue to climb.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/science/