Astroscale Holdings, established in 2013 by Nobu Okada, has grown from a Tokyo-based startup into a global pioneer in orbital sustainability. With subsidiaries in the U.S., U.K., France, Israel, and Singapore, the company’s mission is to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for future generations.
The rapid growth of satellites in orbit, combined with increasing risks of collisions and debris accumulation, has made Astroscale’s work critical. The company offers a suite of on-orbit services that range from satellite inspection and life extension to active debris removal and end-of-life disposal. By bridging innovation, government collaboration, and commercial demand, Astroscale is positioning itself as the leading force for long-term orbital safety and sustainability.
Solutions and Services
In-Situ Space Situational Awareness (ISSA)
ISSA provides spacecraft operators with the ability to monitor their satellites directly from orbit. Using inspection satellites equipped with advanced sensors, Astroscale enables close-up observation of anomalies such as structural damage, thermal degradation, or attitude control issues. Beyond anomaly diagnosis, ISSA improves situational awareness by monitoring potential threats like nearby objects or debris. This capability supports safer operations, reduces the risk of service disruption, and gives operators the confidence to extend satellite lifetimes.
Life Extension (LEX)
The LEX solution addresses one of the most pressing needs of the satellite industry: extending operational lifespan without costly replacement launches. Astroscale’s LEX spacecraft can dock with satellites that are running low on fuel or facing propulsion limitations. Once docked, the servicer provides propulsion, attitude control, and station-keeping support. This capability not only reduces replacement costs but also lowers the environmental footprint of constant satellite launches, providing sustainable alternatives for commercial operators and governments alike.
Active Debris Removal (ADR)
Space debris remains one of the greatest challenges to orbital safety. Astroscale’s ADR solution is designed to actively capture, stabilize, and safely deorbit defunct satellites or large debris fragments. Using rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) combined with docking mechanisms, the servicer ensures controlled re-entry of objects that might otherwise pose long-term collision risks. ADR directly addresses congestion in low Earth orbit (LEO), paving the way for safer satellite operations for both commercial and defense sectors.
End-of-Life (EOL) Services
The EOL service ensures the responsible retirement of satellites. Instead of leaving dead satellites to drift uncontrolled, Astroscale’s EOL spacecraft performs controlled deorbit or relocation to a graveyard orbit. Equipped with docking plates and reliable propulsion systems, the solution complies with international sustainability guidelines and reduces liability for operators. By providing this assurance, Astroscale enables operators to focus on mission objectives while ensuring their satellites are responsibly managed post-mission.
Missions
ADRAS-J – Launched in 2024, ADRAS-J became the world’s first mission to demonstrate close-proximity operations with a large piece of space debris in orbit. Developed in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), it inspected the upper stage of a Japanese H-IIA rocket. The mission validated key RPO technologies and set the foundation for future debris capture missions.
ISSA-J1 – The ISSA-J1 mission focuses on in-orbit situational awareness. It deploys advanced inspection capabilities to demonstrate real-time monitoring of satellites and nearby orbital objects. The mission underpins Astroscale’s role in enabling more informed decisions for operators.
LEXI-P – The Life Extension In-Orbit Pathfinder (LEXI-P) mission is designed to demonstrate Astroscale’s docking and refueling technologies. Once operational, LEXI-P will showcase satellite servicing at a commercial scale, offering propulsion and power support to extend client satellite lifetimes in geostationary orbit (GEO).
Astroscale U.S. Refueler – This mission, spearheaded by Astroscale U.S., is focused on national security and resilience. It will demonstrate refueling services for U.S. government and commercial satellites, contributing to the country’s long-term on-orbit servicing and defense infrastructure.
COSMIC – The COSMIC mission (Cleaning Outer Space Mission through Innovative Capture) is a collaborative project aimed at addressing medium-sized debris removal. COSMIC will validate scalable debris capture and safe disposal technologies, showcasing Astroscale’s ability to serve multiple international customers with tailored debris removal solutions.
ADRAS-J2 – ADRAS-J2 builds on ADRAS-J’s success, expanding Astroscale’s debris-inspection capability with enhanced imaging and maneuverability. The mission will further refine docking and stabilization technologies required for future large-scale debris removal campaigns.
ELSA-M – In partnership with OneWeb, ELSA-M (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale – Multi-client) is set to become the first commercial service for multiple debris removals. ELSA-M will demonstrate Astroscale’s ability to capture and deorbit several defunct satellites, providing a scalable model for future orbital clean-up services.
ELSA-d – Launched in 2021, ELSA-d was the world’s first commercial demonstration of debris removal technology. It tested magnetic docking and RPO between two spacecraft — a servicer and a client — launched together. The mission completed multiple magnetic captures and controlled deorbit, marking a significant milestone in debris remediation and proving Astroscale’s technology readiness.
Recent Developments
Astroscale has continued to expand its global presence through high-profile collaborations and government partnerships. In August 2025, the company announced a partnership with Xona Space Systems, which will provide resilient navigation signals from its Pulsar satellites to enhance Astroscale’s rendezvous and proximity operations. This collaboration will significantly improve the safety and accuracy of Astroscale’s future debris removal and inspection missions.
In October 2024, Astroscale U.S. entered into a strategic agreement with NASA to advance on-orbit servicing technologies. The partnership is aimed at strengthening national security capabilities while also creating new opportunities in the commercial servicing market. This collaboration reflects growing recognition of Astroscale’s leadership in orbital sustainability by both the U.S. government and commercial stakeholders.
Infrastructure expansion has also been a focus, with Globalstar announcing in November 2024 the expansion of its Bihoro ground station in Japan. This upgrade supports third-generation C-3 satellite services and improves Astroscale’s ground control and operational resilience, ensuring reliable connectivity for complex missions.
In July 2024, Astroscale Ltd. secured a £5.15 million contract from the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) for the Orpheus mission. This project will see the deployment of two satellites to monitor space weather and improve situational awareness in orbit. By combining space sustainability expertise with defense-focused applications, Astroscale has reinforced its role as a trusted partner in both commercial and governmental sectors.
