{"id":17042,"date":"2026-03-19T21:44:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T13:44:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/got-space-junk-portal-and-paladin-team-up-to-create-an-orbital-trash-disposal-service\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T21:44:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T13:44:06","slug":"got-space-junk-portal-and-paladin-team-up-to-create-an-orbital-trash-disposal-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/got-space-junk-portal-and-paladin-team-up-to-create-an-orbital-trash-disposal-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Got space junk? Portal and Paladin team up to create an orbital trash disposal service"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An artist\u2019s conception shows Portal Space Systems\u2019 Starburst spacecraft at left and its larger Supernova platform in the distance at right, both outfitted with Paladin Space\u2019s Triton payload for orbital debris tracking and removal. (Portal Space Systems Illustration)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bothell, Wash.-based Portal Space Systems is partnering with an Australian venture called Paladin Space on a commercial service that would round up and dispose of potentially dangerous orbital debris.<\/p>\n

The concept \u2014 known as Debris Removal as a Service, or DRAAS \u2014 is meant to address one of the most pernicious problems facing spacecraft operators: how to dodge tens of thousands of pieces of space junk that are zipping through Earth orbit.<\/p>\n

Since its founding in 2021, Portal has been focusing on the development of maneuverable orbital vehicles that could rendezvous with other satellites, either for servicing or for disposal. Its flagship is the Supernova in-space mobility platform, which will be equipped with an innovative solar thermal propulsion system. There\u2019ll also be a smaller version of the spacecraft, called Starburst. Starburst-1 is due for launch as early as this year, and Supernova is scheduled to make its debut in 2027.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Paladin Space has been working on a reusable payload called Triton, which is designed to track and capture tumbling pieces of orbital debris that are less than 1 meter (3 feet) in size. That small-to-medium size category accounts for most of the debris that\u2019s being tracked in orbit.<\/p>\n

\u201cTriton is built to remove dozens of those objects in a single mission, which fundamentally changes the cost structure of debris remediation and provides the greatest benefit to satellite operators,\u201d Paladin CEO Harrison Box said today in a news release.<\/p>\n

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A space debris hit to the space shuttle Endeavour\u2019s radiator was found after one of its missions. The entry hole was about a quarter-inch wide, and the exit hole was twice as large. (USGS Photo \/ circa 2007)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Portal-Paladin partnership calls for installing Triton hardware on Starburst spacecraft. Portal\u2019s orbital platform would go out in search of space junk, and Paladin\u2019s payload would grab the debris. When Triton\u2019s trash bin is full, it would be dropped off for safe disposal while the spacecraft remains in orbit for continued servicing.<\/p>\n

The companies are targeting an initial deployment in 2027, focusing on heavily trafficked bands of low Earth orbit. Future missions may take advantage of Supernova\u2019s added capabilities to service a wider variety of orbits.<\/p>\n

Other efforts to remove orbital debris are in the works: A Japanese company called Astroscale executed two orbital test missions (ELSA-d and ADRAS-J) and is now gearing up for follow-up demonstration missions (COSMIC, ADRAS-J2 and ELSA-M). A Swiss company called ClearSpace is working with the European Space Agency on an experimental mission that would take a defunct satellite out of orbit.<\/p>\n

Portal CEO Jeff Thornburg said DRAAS will be much more than a one-off demonstration. \u201cThis is about making debris removal operational, not experimental,\u201d he said. \u201cSatellite data underpins communications, navigation, weather forecasting and national security. Maintaining that infrastructure requires active debris management. For the first time, we can do that as a repeatable service.\u201d<\/p>\n

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