ELSA-M spacecraft (Astroscale)
Astroscale, an Israeli startup that boasts it is the first private company with a vision for 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, has revealed its ELSA-M spacecraft. The company says the craft will be capable of deorbiting multiple satellites per mission – This is how they plan to clean the space closest to earth that’s full of dangerous debris
Its main mission is to capture disabled or malfunctioning satellites, thereby cleaning up space.
“Space, today, is dangerously crowded,” says Ofir Azriel, Managing Director of Astroscale Israel.
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The problem of space debris is a serious one, and it is only going to get worse as more and more satellites are launched into orbit. The ELSA-M spacecraft is a welcome development, and it is a step in the right direction towards cleaning up space. However, it is important to remember that ELSA-M is just one spacecraft, and it will not be able to solve the problem on its own. The world needs to continue to develop new technologies for space debris removal, and needs to make sure that all satellite operators are taking steps to reduce their own debris footprint.
Much more can be done to remove space debris. For example, satellite operators should design their satellites with end-of-life disposal in mind. There is also a need to develop better tracking and collision avoidance systems for satellites and to create international agreements to regulate the launch and operation of satellites.
Space debris is a complex problem, but it is one that we can solve. With the right combination of technology, cooperation, and regulation, we can create a safer and more sustainable space environment for future generations.
The problem of reducing and disposing of space debris in orbit around the Earth worries many in the space industry, especially given that quite a few companies are planning to launch thousands of LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites in the coming years. Today, there are over 2,200 documented ‘dead’ satellites – and more than 630 cases of orbital collisions have occurred in recent years.
During the company’s previous space mission, in 2021 – starring ELSA-M’s predecessor, ELSA-D – the company successfully demonstrated the ability of magnetic capture for satellites in preparation for entering commercial activity. The new model, ELSA-M, after being launched into space and arriving at the site of the malfunctioning satellite, will perform a visual inspection before connecting to it. ELSA-M will then use its propulsion to lower the decommissioned satellite into atmospheric orbit, where it will break up and burn safely. At this point the ESLA-M will disengage and begin moving to rendezvous with its next target.
At the same time, the company announced the launch of its generation 2 docking plate. The new plate will make it possible to attach more easily to the malfunctioning satellites and offer what Azriel calls “a necessary starting point for a variety of service options and a more responsible use of the Earth’s orbital resources.” The company aims for the docking plate to become a standard product that will be installed on all future satellites in LEO from now on – a low-risk, rigorously tested solution that supports over 15 years of flight lifetime. The Docking Plate is highly compatible with multiple docking techniques, ensuring flexibility and servicer agnosticism. Advanced fiducial markers also enable accurate optical determination for enhanced accuracy and safety during servicing missions.
Founded in 2013 funded, in part, by the British Space Agency and the European Space Agency (ESA), Astroscale is developing” innovative and scalable” solutions across the spectrum of on-orbit servicing, including life extension, in situ space situational awareness, end of life, and active debris removal, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate the growing and hazardous buildup of debris in space. Astroscale is also defining business cases and working with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives for the responsible use of space.
