The growing congestion of Earth orbit has raised risks to satellites, space stations, and long-term space sustainability. The U.S. Space Force (USSF) has responded by forming partnerships, funding innovation, and revising policy aimed at orbital cleanup, servicing, and debris mitigation. These partnerships reflect recognition that commercial, academic, and interagency cooperation will be essential to address space debris as a strategic risk rather than just as a technical issue.
Key Programs And Industry Collaborations
One of the major initiatives is Orbital Prime, managed by SpaceWERX, the Space Force’s innovation arm. Orbital Prime is intended to stimulate development of technologies for In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM), including active debris remediation. In 2022, SpaceWERX awarded 124 Phase 1 contracts (each around $250,000) to companies and research institutions to explore capabilities such as identifying, approaching, and servicing objects in orbit. Phase 2 expects to provide larger awards (up to $1.5 million) for prototype development. The ultimate goal is to pilot an on-orbit demonstration of debris remediation technologies.
Astroscale U.S. is another active player. It has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to test Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD) capabilities for its Refueler spacecraft, which is scheduled to conduct refueling operations of DoD satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO). These refueling capabilities are part of a broader effort not only to extend satellite lifespans but also to lessen the accumulation of defunct hardware in orbit. The mission is set to launch in 2026.
Policy, Funding, And Regulatory Changes
Policy moves are advancing alongside technical projects. U.S. authorities are revising decades-old rules related to repairing, refueling, inspecting, or otherwise servicing satellites in orbit. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated regulatory updates to keep pace with emerging space activities, especially as commercial actors increase operations in GEO and LEO (low earth orbit). These regulatory changes aim to cover not only how debris is removed or mitigated but also how satellites are designed with end-of-life disposal in mind.
Interagency planning also plays a role. The National Orbital Debris Implementation Plan, established under the U.S. government in 2022, is a framework binding together agencies like the DoD, NASA, NOAA, etc., to coordinate how debris risks are identified, tracked, and mitigated. This plan supports both cleanup and preventative actions, such as improved design standards, servicing, and disposal protocols.
Current Challenges And Technical Gaps
Despite these efforts, several challenges remain. Orbital cleanup is technically hard: detecting, tracking, and then safely approaching debris objects that vary in size, shape, spin, and orbit is difficult. Servicing or refueling missions must deal with risks like collisions, failures of rendezvous or docking, and ensuring the debris piece can be safely handled.
Regulatory and policy uncertainty also persists. Responsibilities for monitoring, licensing, and international cooperation are often not fully defined. Funding remains a bottleneck: many programs are still in the concept or prototype stages and require larger investment and On-orbit demonstrations to prove reliability.
Strategic Benefits Of Cleanup Partnerships
Partnerships – whether with commercial companies, research institutions, or international space agencies – amplify what the USSF can accomplish. They offer innovation, cost sharing, and access to technical expertise. Cleanup and servicing help protect expensive satellites, reduce collision risk (which can generate even more debris), and maintain freedom of operation in critical orbits.
Moreover, establishing trusted commercial servicing capabilities (e.g., refueling in GEO) helps the U.S. maintain resilience in space. Satellites that can be refueled or modified extend their useful lives; satellites that are designed for end-of-life disposal reduce the long-term buildup of debris zones.
Sustaining Orbits Through Cooperative Action
As the Space Force moves forward, the imperative is clear: partnerships and policy must converge with technical validation. Active debris removal, refueling, servicing, and regulatory reform all must be supported by demonstrable missions. Scaling prototypes into operational systems will require predictable funding, clear policy leadership (i.e., who grants licenses, who is liable if something goes wrong, how debris cleanup is prioritized), and strong collaboration with industry and other government agencies. If the U.S. is going to safeguard its space assets and maintain its leadership in space, it must treat orbital cleanup not as an afterthought, but as core infrastructure – just like roads or ports on Earth.
