The Path to Sustainable Space Operations with ELSA-M and Our Trusted UK & European Suppliers
By Nick Shave, Managing Director, Astroscale UK
As space becomes increasingly congested, the need for responsible and sustainable operations has never been more pressing. At Astroscale UK, our mission is clear: to ensure the safety and longevity of the space environment for future generations. This commitment was reinforced recently as we secured funding to enter the Phase 4 contract from Eutelsat OneWeb of our pioneering ELSA-M mission, which is supported by the UK Space Agency through the Sunrise Programme, run as a Public-Private Partnership between ESA and Eutelsat OneWeb.
The past year has been particularly significant for Astroscale UK. We’ve reached major milestones, from our Holdings company’s initial public offering (IPO) on the Tokyo Stock Exchange to expanding our team to over 200 strong here in the UK. Our presence at major public events like Goodwood Festival of Speed and New Scientist Live has also helped us amplify our message of space sustainability to a wider audience. But perhaps the most exciting development has been reaching the final phase of the ELSA-M mission, marking not just the culmination of years of hard work, but also the beginning of a new chapter as we move into the build and in-orbit demonstration of the world’s first commercial satellite end-of-life service for prepared satellites.
The Crucial Role of Our UK and Europe Supply Chain
Our journey to this point wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of our UK and Europe-based suppliers. These partnerships are more than just business transactions; they are collaborative relationships that form a critical element of our mission. Earlier this year, we had the privilege of hosting a Supplier Day at Harwell, bringing together the fantastic businesses that are integral to our operations. This event highlighted the power of collaboration in advancing space sustainability.
A Celebration of Collaboration
AAC Clyde Space exemplifies how collaboration is key to success in space sustainability. Operating from Scotland, they are crucial in providing the power systems, as well as command and data handling systems for ELSA-M. Their Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Anderson, emphasised that decluttering space "is not only ethical, but it will be business critical," underscoring the importance of our shared goals.
Airbus Netherlands has empowered our mission with their Sparkwing solar arrays, demonstrating the value of international collaboration. Sjahdian Siregar, their Sales Manager, emphasised that "space sustainability needs collaboration because the issues and problems are transcending national and continental boundaries," a sentiment that resonates deeply with our mission at Astroscale.
Axon Cable Group brings a wealth of experience, contributing to our mission with their advanced power distribution and interconnect systems. Olivier Camy, their Technical Sales Engineer based in Axon Cable’s UK office in Fife, highlighted the importance of collaboration in pioneering new technologies, noting that "building this mission as a collective" is vital for the future of in-orbit infrastructure.
Barum & Dewar has been a longstanding partner, providing essential infrastructure solutions that support our mission’s sustainability goals. As David Frame, Managing Director, noted, "Sustainability in space is absolutely critical now." Their work in supplying containers for our mission's satellite and key components underscores the importance of a reliable and innovative supply chain.
Honeywell has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between ground stations and satellites, delivering the tracking telemetry and control modules that are essential for our mission’s success. The expertise and reputation of companies like Honeywell provide us with the reliability needed to navigate the complexities of space operations.
Jena-Optronik provides the critical rendezvous and docking sensors necessary for our end-of-life services. Reinhard Berger, Vice President of Products & Programmes, praised Astroscale's ability to balance "a commercial new space attitude with the expertise of ESA and other agencies," a balance that is essential for the success of such a groundbreaking mission.
Nammo Space is supplying the vertically integrated chemical propulsion system that will be used to support the ELSA-M mission. Their propulsion technology is critical to ensuring precise manoeuvering during the rendezvous and docking phases of the mission. Nammo's expertise in propulsion solutions brings an added level of reliability and innovation to Astroscale’s efforts in space sustainability.
ELSA-M: A Launchpad for the Future
As we advance into the final steps towards the ELSA-M in-orbit demonstration in 2026, the future looks promising not only for our mission but for the UK space industry at large assuming an effective regulatory environment for in-orbit servicing and sustainability in space. The ELSA-M scale-up, aimed at making in-orbit servicing routine by 2030, opens up significant opportunities for onshoring more production to the UK.
With 64% of the projected scale-up’s Gross Value Add (GVA) being generated outside London and the South East, the economic impact is substantial. It is projected to support 12,000 high-skilled jobs across the UK and generate £2 billion in sales, with a return of £23 per £1 invested.
The UK's space industry is set to play a pivotal role in the in-space economy, including areas such as space debris removal, in-orbit servicing, and space surveillance and tracking. These sectors are expected to grow significantly, contributing to the UK's standing as a major player in the global space sustainability narrative. This has been identified by the UK Government in its Space Industrial Plan published in March 2024 when In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (ISAM) is identified as one of five strategic priorities for the nation.
By working with highly skilled companies across the UK, we are not only driving revenue across the country but also reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in sustainable space operations. As we look to the future, we remain committed to our vision of making space a safer and more sustainable environment for all.
When launched, ELSA-M will be a shared achievement, reflecting the dedication and expertise of our partners across the UK. As we embark on the final phase of this mission, we do so with the confidence that our collective efforts will pave the way for a new era of sustainable space operations.
