Astroscale

Astroscale is an orbital debris removal company developing satellite end-of-life and active debris removal services to mitigate the growing and hazardous buildup of debris in space.

Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the only company solely dedicated to on-orbit servicing across all orbits.

Astroscale was founded in 2013 by Nobu Okada. The company is headquartered in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan, with offices in Singapore, UK, Israel and Denver, Colorado.

 

Astroscale is developing a range of technologies under the umbrella of “in-orbit servicing.” That includes developing spacecraft capable of rendezvousing and docking with other spacecraft; once docked, the Astroscale spacecraft could perform servicing to extend the useful life of satellites or safely de-orbit spacecraft.

 

Astroscale launched the End-of-Life Services by Astroscale (ELSA-d) demonstration system in March 2021, which successfully demoed a 175-kilogram spacecraft’s magnetic capture and release of another spacecraft.

 

Astroscale is also planning on launching another debris-removal demonstration project as part of a contract with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Astroscale next plans to use a spacecraft launching on Rocket Lab Electron early this year to inspect a discarded upper stage of a Japanese H2-A rocket.

 

Astroscale is backed by Development Bank of Japan, FEL Corporation, THE FUND Limited Partnership, aStart, Hulic Co., I-Net, Shimizu Corp., Mitsubishi Corporation, Sparx Space Frontier Fund, Seraphim Space Investment Trust, Yusaku Maezawa, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, and others. The company raised $76M in a Series G round on Feb 27, 2023. This brings Astroscale's total funding to $376M to date.

 

 

  • Year founded: 2013
  • Funding Info: $376M over 9 Rounds (Latest Funding Type: Series G)
  • Yearly Revenue: NA
  • Employee Size: 201-500
  • Business Valuation: NA
  • City/Town: Sumida
  • State: Tokyo
  • Country: Japan
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