TransAstra Secures NASA Contract for Debris Capture Bag
Originally Published 2 years ago — by SpaceNews
TransAstra has been awarded an $850,000 NASA contract to manufacture an inflatable capture bag for orbital debris cleanup. The bag, which uses inflatable struts to open and close, can envelop noncooperative objects without requiring docking or fixtures. TransAstra proposes capturing multiple pieces of debris with a single bag, reducing propellant consumption and time. The company also plans to transport debris to an on-orbit processing plant for recycling, offering cost reductions and a more sustainable approach to space debris removal. Computer simulations have validated the effectiveness of this method, highlighting its potential for space industrialization and national defense.