As low-Earth orbit becomes increasingly crowded with satellites, the growing threat of space debris poses a significant risk to current and future space missions. Addressing this celestial junkyard is German startup Project-S, founded by 22-year-old aerospace engineering student Leonidas Askianakis, which has secured funding to develop a commercial solution for cleaning up hazardous orbital waste.
A Mission Born From A Question
The journey for Project-S began when Askianakis, a student at the Technical University of Munich, questioned why space debris could remain in orbit for up to 200 years without a viable solution. This question sparked an idea: to create a commercially viable business dedicated to space waste disposal.
His timing proved impeccable. Shortly after Askianakis founded Project-S, a new European Union space law came into effect, mandating that satellite operators must be responsible for removing their own space junk. This legislative shift created an immediate market for the very services his startup aims to provide.
Mapping and Removing Orbital Threats
Project-S is developing a two-pronged approach to tackle the problem. The first phase involves deploying a satellite equipped with a high-sensitivity radar and proprietary algorithms. This system is designed to detect and map hazardous debris between 1 and 10 centimeters—a size notoriously difficult to track from the ground but large enough to destroy a satellite upon impact, releasing energy equivalent to a hand grenade.
The data gathered will create a comprehensive map of this previously invisible threat. In a subsequent phase, the company plans to deploy probes with robotic arms to capture and de-orbit larger pieces of debris, effectively acting as a cleanup crew for space.
State-Backed Innovation
Instead of navigating the traditional venture capital route, Project-S secured €1 million in co-financing from the Bavarian state government. This funding, part of Bavaria’s strategy to invest over €245 million since 2018 to become a European space hub, provides Askianakis with the freedom to develop his technology without the pressure to relocate, a common condition tied to US investment.
The first mission for Project-S, supported by this funding, is scheduled for launch in 2026.
Relevance for MENA’s Space Ambitions
While Project-S is a European initiative, its mission is highly relevant to the rapidly growing space sector in the MENA region. Nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing billions in their national space programs, launching satellites for communications, earth observation, and scientific research.
As MENA countries expand their orbital presence, the protection of these high-value assets from space debris becomes a critical priority. The emergence of specialized cleanup services like Project-S highlights a new, essential market for the space economy. This presents a significant opportunity for potential partnerships, investments, and the inspiration for homegrown MENA startups to address the same challenge, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the region’s ambitious space goals.
About Project-S
Project-S is a German aerospace startup focused on developing commercial solutions for space debris removal. The company is engineering advanced technologies, including high-sensitivity radar systems and robotic probes, to detect, map, and eliminate hazardous objects from Earth’s orbit, aiming to ensure the safety and sustainability of future space activities.
Source: MSN
