Astroscale has successfully completed the critical design review (CDR) for its ELSA-M mission, paving the way for the removal of a defunct OneWeb broadband satellite from low Earth orbit (LEO). The Japanese venture's British subsidiary announced the completion of the CDR on June 4th. This milestone allows for the assembly, integration, and testing of the 500-kilogram servicer's flight model.
Primarily funded by Astroscale with backing from the UK Space Agency, ELSA-M, or End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-Multiple, will employ a magnetic mechanism to capture the defunct OneWeb satellite. This satellite will be equipped with a compatible docking plate. Following capture, the satellite will be released onto a controlled path for atmospheric burn-up. The CDR was validated by Eutelsat, OneWeb’s French owner, and the European Space Agency.
Originally scheduled for 2024, the demonstration was delayed due to OneWeb’s acquisition by Eutelsat. It serves as a stepping stone to a commercial de-orbit service Astroscale plans to launch around 2030. ELSA-M builds upon a 2021 demonstration where Astroscale successfully launched a servicer that captured and released a smaller satellite. While that mission faced setbacks with failed thrusters preventing a second capture and de-orbiting, ELSA-M is designed for multiple spacecraft de-orbiting in a single mission.
Astroscale is leveraging the ELSA-M project in its bid for a UK Space Agency contract to remove two more satellites from LEO. The company is competing with ClearSpace, a Swiss startup that recently completed the second phase of the UK’s Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission. An Astroscale spokesperson confirmed the company is finalizing its own ADR Phase 2 work.