ELSA-d Chaser satellite. Credit: ASTROSCALE.

Singapore-based satellite services company ASTROSCALE has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK’s Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) to jointly explore opportunities in the development of new on-orbit technologies and missions intended to protect the orbital environment.

Both companies have also agreed on a long-term strategic cooperation programme to identify orbital debris removal projects and joint offerings for competitive small satellite missions in Japan.

"SSTL is synonymous with reliable and cost-effective small satellites and we are thrilled that they will provide a key component to ELSA-d."

ASTROSCALE has contracted SSTL to provide a ‘Target’ satellite and accompanying avionics for its End-of-Life Service by ASTROSCALE-demonstration (ELSA d) mission under the new MoU.

The ELSA d mission will be designed to simulate the capture of orbital debris and validate key technologies for end-of-life spacecraft retrieval and disposal services.

In addition, the new partnership aims to bring further investment to the UK, including the potential establishment of a supply chain.

ASTROSCALE previously established an office and mission control centre in Harwell, UK, earlier this year.

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ASTROSCALE founder and CEONobu Okada said: “SSTL is synonymous with reliable and cost-effective small satellites and we are thrilled that they will provide a key component to ELSA-d.”

The ELSA-d mission features a ‘Chaser’ satellite and a ‘Target’ satellite, and will demonstrates various key technologies necessary for orbital debris removal, including rendezvous, docking and proximity operations.

ASTROSCALE is set to design and build the Chaser probe at its research and development (R&D) office in Tokyo, Japan, using avionics from SSTL.

The ELSA-d mission is also slated to feature optical sensing instruments and a redundant capture mechanism.