Astroscale has established entities in multiple countries.
Astroscale Holdings has established a subsidiary in Paris, Astroscale France SAS, and is to sign a contract with the Center National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) to study the removal of debris from space.
The contract with the French space agency is to be signed June 20 at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, Astroscale said June 19. Under the contract, the company will study the removal of French space debris, with the specific debris to be determined in early 2024.
“Astroscale’s expansion into France and partnership with CNES mark a major step toward realizing a safe and sustainable space environment, and serve as a testament to France’s investment in space sustainability,” said Nobu Okada, Astroscale founder and CEO.
Parent company Astroscale is headquartered in Tokyo, although the company, which has about 450 employees, has pursued a strategy of opening subsidiaries in multiple nations so it can work with local space agencies on debris removal. In addition to its soon-to-opened operations in France, Astroscale has entities in the UK, U.S. and Israel.
Astroscale France is incorporated in Paris and the company plans to establish larger facilities at another location soon, as well as name a managing director and announce other key employees, it says.
The company’s U.S. subsidiary cut the ribbon on its new Denver headquarters in April. Astroscale U.S. wants to access the U.S. space industry supply base, as well business with the U.S. government, such as national security agencies, it told Aerospace DAILY.
In addition to debris removal, Astroscale is developing spacecraft to provide in-space servicing. For example, the U.S. subsidiary is focused on the development of its Life Extension In-orbit servicer, a spacecraft with four robotic arms that is designed to grapple client spacecraft in geostationary orbit to help with station keeping and attitude control, inclination correction, relocating to new geostationary orbital slots and moving into graveyard orbits.
