ADR Collaboration: Active Debris Removal Mission Planning & Robotics Partnerships

Project-S is seeking collaboration partners for Active Debris Removal (ADR) initiatives focused on physically reducing the population of high-risk debris objects in orbit.

This opportunity is centered on moving beyond observation and analysis toward practical debris-removal action. Project-S aims to work with partners on the full ADR value chain: identifying suitable debris targets, evaluating technical and commercial feasibility, designing removal mission concepts, and developing operational models for safe and scalable debris removal.

The collaboration may include:

• Prioritizing debris objects for removal based on risk, accessibility, and mission feasibility

• Developing ADR mission concepts and operational scenarios

• Exploring capture, rendezvous, docking, de-tumbling, propulsion, and deorbiting approaches

• Assessing technical requirements for removal missions, including target characterization and chaser spacecraft capabilities

• Building business cases for commercial, institutional, or government-funded ADR missions

• Defining partnership models between operators, agencies, insurers, robotics providers, and mission integrators

• Supporting future demonstration missions and pilot projects for debris capture or controlled deorbiting

• Project-S is particularly interested in collaborating with satellite operators, space agencies, defense and government stakeholders, robotics companies, propulsion providers, mission designers, insurers, research institutions, and organizations developing technologies for rendezvous, proximity operations, capture mechanisms, and deorbit systems.

The goal is to help turn Active Debris Removal from a long-term sustainability concept into a practical mission pathway — combining technical capabilities, commercial incentives, and institutional support to remove the most consequential debris objects from orbit.