Space startups in Japan and India announced on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement to jointly explore the use of laser-equipped satellites for removing debris from orbit, offering a novel solution to the growing issue of orbital congestion.
Orbital Lasers, based in Tokyo, and Indian robotics company InspeCity revealed plans to investigate potential business opportunities for in-space services such as de-orbiting inactive satellites and extending the lifespan of spacecraft.
Orbital Lasers, a spinoff from Japanese satellite giant SKY Perfect JSAT, is currently developing a system that utilizes laser energy to halt the rotation of space debris by vaporizing small sections of its surface, facilitating easier rendezvous with a servicing spacecraft.
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Aditya Baraskar, the global business lead for Orbital Lasers, disclosed plans for demonstrating the system in space post-2027 and making it available to operators. He mentioned the possibility of integrating the system onto InspeCity satellites pending regulatory approvals in India and Japan.
The two companies have inked a preliminary agreement to kickstart their collaboration. InspeCity, established in 2022 and securing $1.5 million in funding last year, and Orbital Lasers, raising 900 million yen ($5.8 million) since its inception in January, are poised for further advancements in their partnership.
A United Nations panel on space traffic coordination recently underscored the urgency of monitoring and managing objects in low Earth orbit due to the proliferation of satellites and space debris.
“With over 100 companies already active in the space servicing market and satellite constellations on the rise, immediate action is crucial,” noted Nobu Okada, CEO of Astroscale, a leading Japanese debris mitigation company.
This collaborative project between Japan and India follows their joint Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, slated for a potential launch in 2026. Additionally, Indian company Skyroot and HEX20 are collaborating with Japanese firm ispace on a forthcoming lunar orbiter mission.
“The commercial space partnerships between the two countries have been driven by Japanese satellite data solutions benefiting India’s disaster management and agriculture sectors, with potential expansion into manufacturing and other domains,” said Masayasu Ishida, CEO of SPACETIDE, a Tokyo-based nonprofit facilitating space business conferences since 2015.
“The key lies in identifying complementary relationships that align with national policies like Make in India, which aims to bolster domestic production,” Mr. Ishida emphasized.
Published – December 17, 2024 01:05 pm IST
