How New Technologies and Startups Are Solving the Problem of Space Debris: from Lasers and Harpoons to Engines

Every single day, three pieces of space debris fall to Earth. This isn’t science fiction: it’s reality, according to a new report published by the European Space Agency (ESA). Its data shows that the amount of space debris will keep growing unless humanity starts taking immediate action. Here’s a look at why Earth’s orbit is becoming cluttered so rapidly and chaotically with debris, as well as how new technologies, approaches, and individual startups are helping to tackle this problem.

ESA says space debris could make orbits unusable

ESA published its report on space debris on April 1, 2025—April Fool’s Day—but there’s not even a hint of humor in it. On the contrary, the agency warns of serious problems facing humanity as we  become increasingly active in space exploration. While there were 254 launches in 2024, only five years earlier, according to the Space Stat service, there were only 104.

ESA predicts that, without active space debris cleanup, the so-called “Kessler Syndrome” could be triggered. This term refers to a chain reaction of collisions that might render certain orbits entirely unusable, as existing debris will continue to fragment even without new launches. This means that the risk of cascading collisions would only keep growing: “Satellite collisions will produce orbital fragments, each of which increases the likelihood of further collisions, leading to the accumulation of a debris belt around Earth,” explained Donald Kessler, a NASA consultant, and his co-author, Burton Cour-Palais.

ESA emphasizes that the scale of the problem is actually greater than it may seem at first glance. This is because space debris isn’t just made up of large satellite fragments. Even microparticles smaller than 1 mm in diameter can cause significant damage, since they travel at high speeds. If a satellite in orbit collides with a particle just 1 cm in size moving at 10 km/s, the impact would be equivalent to a crash with a small car at 40 km/h. Since the total number of fragments larger than 1 cm has already exceeded 1.2 million, this clearly poses a serious threat to satellites and the ISS. There are currently about 10,000 active satellites in Earth orbit, while the total number of objects has reached 40,000.

According to ESA, the growing number of satellites, especially those like Starlink, poses a major threat. Astrophysicist and leading global expert on space debris Jonathan McDowell claims that Starlink satellites are responsible for a significant portion of the space debris currently falling to Earth, and this trend is only intensifying. While some satellites burn up in the atmosphere, there is a high likelihood of collisions between older spacecraft stuck in orbit, which in turn produces new space debris.

When space debris falls to Earth, it poses a potential risk to human health and property. Since much of our planet is covered by oceans or is otherwise uninhabited, the threat is low, but not zero. For example, several fragments of the old Soviet satellite, Kosmos-1340, are believed to have fallen to Earth’s surface following Russia’s anti-satellite weapon test in 2021. Elsewhere, in 2024, a piece of debris from space punctured the roof of a house in Florida, and in February 2025, at least three fragments from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket fell across parts of Poland.

The fight against space debris has begun, but without radical measures

To address the space debris problem, ESA is developing the ClearSpace-1 mission in collaboration with a space startup of the same name. Scheduled for 2028, this will be the first operation of its kind to capture and remove a satellite from orbit. The experiment will target the 95-kilogram PROBA-1 satellite, which was launched back in 2001. ClearSpace-1 will rendezvous with it, capture it using four robotic arms, and ensure safe reentry into the atmosphere.

The ClearSpace-1 mission is intended to demonstrate how space can be cleared of old satellites, which are the main source of space debris. At the same time, ESA has recommended reducing the time satellites remain in orbit from the current standard of 25 years to just five years to minimize the risk of collisions. The agency also stresses the need to implement so-called “passivation” technology that fully discharges satellite power sources to help prevent explosions caused by leftover fuel or partially charged batteries.

In addition, ESA supports the Zero Debris Charter and, by 2030, the agency plans to revise its requirements for preventing the creation of new debris and for removing existing debris.

One added benefit of these measures is fuel savings, since large amounts of fuel are currently used for maneuvering when satellites try to avoid potential collisions.

Individual national space agencies are also taking steps to combat space debris. In Japan, JAXA is developing technologies for capturing and removing large objects from orbit, sensors for measuring microscopic debris particles, and tools for planning avoidance maneuvers based on collision data. They are also working on creating fuel tanks made from composite materials with lower melting points to ensure the safe burning up of satellites when they reenter Earth’s atmosphere.

In Bahrain, designs are being developed for an onboard detection and classification system based on artificial intelligence (AI) that will track small objects less than 2 mm in size that are difficult to detect from Earth. In Italy, debris from satellites is being tracked using telescopes and radars, and AI is also being employed to simulate collisions and develop monitoring methods for objects from Earth to the Moon.

How private companies are helping deal with space debris 

Many of the measures and initiatives described above are either still being developed or exist only as recommendations. This means that no one is formally obliged to implement them, and there are no penalties for non-compliance. National agencies, moreover, often lack the flexibility and speed in decision-making that would help address the issue in the short- and medium-term. This is where startups come into play: some are even working with major national space agencies, and the results of such collaborations are showing promising outcomes. As mentioned before, one prime example is ESA’s collaboration with the Swiss startup ClearSpace.

The main areas being explored by startups, which directly or indirectly help clean Earth’s orbit of space debris, include:

• Harpoon and net capture, which allows for the safe removal of the largest objects from orbit;
• Laser ablation, in which special lasers alter the trajectory of smaller debris so that it naturally burns up in the atmosphere;
• Magnetic removal, wherein powerful magnets are used to capture debris and provide controlled descent;
• Robotic manipulators, which are specialized mechanical “arms” or “claws” that capture and remove space debris from orbit.

Some companies have already come close to implementing such designs and others have even tested their solutions. Let’s take a closer look.

Astroscale and ClearSpace are already cleaning orbits

Astroscale, a Japanese company and one of the leaders in the satellite servicing market, has developed magnetic capture technology. In early 2024, it successfully completed both a test mission and the first commercial mission of its kind: End-of-Life Services by Astroscale (ELSA-d), named after the satellite that was safely and controllably removed from orbit. Astroscale also completed a similar mission, ADRAS-J, which helped gather information about the behavior and condition of large space debris in orbit.

Recently, the British subsidiary of Japan’s Astroscale and Switzerland’s ClearSpace, which is developing a spacecraft with robotic arms for ESA, received funding from the UK Space Agency. The funds, provided as grants, will allow both companies to continue developing robotic satellite capture technologies for their safe removal from orbit. Additionally, ClearSpace is implementing the CLEAR mission in collaboration with the UK Space Agency, aimed at removing two abandoned objects from low Earth orbit, clearing orbital space for new activities, and reducing the risk of collisions for nearby satellites.

Take a look at this visualization of how the ClearSpace spacecraft gently wraps around a satellite:

Sustainable satellites can help prevent space debris 

The ultimate goal is to design and operate satellites with minimal risks of generating space debris. But how can this be achieved?

One approach is to develop modular spacecraft that can be repaired and upgraded directly in orbit. This will extend their lifespan, reduce the number of launches, and minimize the volume of potential debris, as standardized modular satellite platforms can be used for multiple missions. Such solutions are already being developed by Northrop Grumman, particularly within the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) program and projects associated with the Space Development Agency (SDA), where work on reusable architectures is ongoing.

One useful feature is satellite self-deorbiting, which can be achieved in several ways. First, propulsion systems can allow spacecraft to leave orbit and reenter the atmosphere, where they will burn up without creating debris, in a controlled manner. Second, deorbit sails can be used, which increase air resistance and accelerate the satellite’s descent. This method, however, is only suitable for satellites operating in low orbits. Third, passive braking systems use gravity and atmospheric drag without engaging engines. This option is especially useful for small satellites and CubeSats. Finally, self-deorbiting can be achieved using automatic timers that are pre-programmed to initiate the deorbit process after the satellite’s lifespan ends, even if communication with the operator is lost.

In addition to modular design and various methods for implementing self-deorbiting, the amount of space debris can be reduced by using intelligent management systems. For example, the companies Helsing and Loft Orbital plan to use artificial intelligence to track and prevent collisions. In early 2025, they announced the deployment of Europe’s first multi-sensor satellite constellation with payloads consisting of cameras and radiofrequency sensors with intelligent data processing capabilities.

Another alternative to traditional satellites is satellites made from biodegradable materials. In December 2024, Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the wooden satellite LignoSat into Earth orbit from the International Space Station.

Satellites can be controlled for safe deorbiting using engines with efficient space thrust. This allows satellites to adjust their position to avoid collisions with space debris and adapt their trajectory to mission needs. Such engines are already being developed by the Ukrainian aerospace company SETS (Space Electric Thruster Systems), which is part of the Noosphere project group. The company’s engineers emphasize the importance of having an engine employed specifically for successful deorbiting and the subsequent safe burning up of the satellite in the atmosphere.

While large satellites, especially telecommunications satellites, are typically equipped with such engines, it is not always justified for smaller spacecraft because additional engines increase mass and cost and also require specialized onboard systems. SETS has managed to overcome this limitation by developing cost-effective engines with low fuel consumption, high specific impulse, and long operational life. The company now offers various power solutions that are suitable for a wide range of space vehicles.

Conclusion

In the short term, the problem of space debris can be addressed through various active removal technologies. These can include missions to capture and remove objects from orbit, laser ablation, or the use of robotic manipulators. All of these methods allow for a relatively quick reduction in the risk of collisions and help prevent the development of the Kessler Syndrome.

However, strategic efforts should focus on implementing preventive measures that will prevent the accumulation of space debris in the future. One of the key areas here is the development of propulsion systems that ensure controlled deorbiting of satellites at the end of their mission. Effective electric propulsion systems already exist, having successfully passed tests and are used for orbital corrections and controlled deorbiting of satellites. Ultimately, the optimal solution will likely be a combination of two approaches: removing existing debris and simultaneously implementing long-term solutions to prevent its accumulation.