Visit by Emmanuel Macron and Sanae Takaichi reflects increasing focus on on-orbit servicing.
Astroscale France SAS, a subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings , a provider of satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability across all orbits, and Exotrail, a French company specializing in the design, manufacturing and operation of multi-orbit and multi-mission satellites, have signed a contract to develop a satellite deorbiting mission, marking a major advancement in France-Japan cooperation on space sustainability.
This contract brings together Japanese and French expertise in on-orbit servicing to develop a capability for safely removing satellites from low Earth orbit by 2030. It builds on the companies’ existing partnership and frames their collaboration across in-space mobility, rendezvous and proximity operations and end-of-life technologies.
The signing took place during a high-level visit to Astroscale’s headquarters in Tokyo by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The visit highlights the role of international commercial companies in addressing on-orbit servicing needs while strengthening national capabilities.
“This agreement between Astroscale France and Exotrail demonstrates the capacity of France and Japan to leverage their respective industrial and technological expertise in support of space innovation,” said President Macron. “Together, we are advancing the development of orbital services that will underpin the space economy of the 21st century.”
“This contract demonstrates how commercial and government collaboration across borders can deliver the solutions needed to manage space safely and sustainably,” said Philippe Blatt, Managing Director of Astroscale France. “Collaboration across industry and nations is essential to build a viable and scalable on-orbit servicing sector for all.”
Astroscale and Exotrail Advance France-Japan Cooperation on Space Sustainability | GeoConnexion
