Active Debris Removal

Once an orbital object is unable to perform its function or move out of the way of potential collisions with other objects in orbit it is considered debris. With the increasing number of launches and activity in space, the population of debris is worsening with collisions and regular activities generating more debris at an exponential rate.

To provide a solution to the current debris problem and that prevents future accidents and collisions, KMI focuses on Active Debris Removal (ADR) with the Laelaps spacecraft. Capable of approaching, rendezvousing with, and non-destructively adhering itself to a debris object, the Laelaps spacecraft will detumble the object and then release the debris to a deorbit altitude, before setting out on another mission, as Laelaps is capable of completing multiple missions in an effort towards keeping space clear for all. While the other services of KMI are focused on satellites, Laelaps is capable of handling large rocket bodies and other uncontrolled and unprepared objects to suit the qualities of debris.

KMI values this component of space sustainability and has implemented a pricing tool in partnership with Privateer, called Fresnel, that shows the KMI price of removal for thousands of real, tracked debris objects.