The April 2025 issue of ESSI's Orbitwise newsletter – a round-up of general space sustainability news – has been published
22 April 2025
The April 2025 issue of ESSI's Orbitwise newsletter – a round-up of general space sustainability news from around the world – has been published. It features new research about the impact of greenhouse gases on satellite lifetimes in orbit, the launch of Space for Early Warning in Africa, Djibouti successfully conducting its first EO mission, collaboration between Astroscale Japan and Bellatrix Aerospace in India, a space-grade solar cell produced by Extraterrestrial Power in Australia, publication of ESA Strategy 2040, and plans for Astroscale U.S. to conduct the first refuelling of a United States Space Force satellite.
RESEARCH PAPERS
New research explores impact of greenhouse gases on satellite lifetimes in orbit
Researchers William E. Parker and Richard Linares (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Matthew K. Brown (University of Birmingham) have published an article about Greenhouse gases reducing the satellite carrying capacity of low Earth orbit, in March. Their research found that the effect of greenhouse gases on the Earth’s thermosphere reduces drag on debris objects, extending their life expectancy in orbit. This debris could become a “persistent collision risk” to other assets in space, risking the production of further debris.
AFRICA
Space for Early Warning in Africa project launched
The Space for Early Warning in Africa (SEWA) project is being launched at the NewSpace Africa Conference, which began on 21 April 2025, a day after the African Space Agency’s inauguration.
SEWA, funded by the European Union (EU) under the Global Gateway programme, aims to enhance the capacity to produce and deliver space-based services and data for early warning systems related to hazardous weather or climate events. SEWA falls under the Space and Green Transition objective of the Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme.
Djibouti successfully conducts Earth Observation (EO) mission with French support
Supported by several French organisations, including the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), Djibouti successfully conducted its first EO mission on 9 April 2025. The mission, led by Aboubaker Hassan, Secretary General of Djibouti’s Ministry of Higher Education and Research, was intended to emphasise the potential of satellite-derived data across critical national sectors, including climate adaptation, natural disaster management, coastal security and infrastructure development.
ASIA
Astroscale Japan secures contract from Japanese Ministry of Defence
Japan’s Ministry of Defence has awarded Astroscale Japan a 7.27-billion-yen contract. The project, which will run until March 2028, will develop a responsive space system demonstration satellite prototype. The launch and operations phases will be managed under a separate contract.
Eddie Kato, Managing Director of Astroscale Japan, commented: “This contract marks a significant milestone as Astroscale Japan expands into the security and defence sector. Alongside our existing government and commercial business, we have established a third pillar of our operations. By leveraging our heritage in rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) technologies, we will adapt our capabilities to the unique requirements of this sector.”
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Astroscale Japan and Bellatrix Aerospace
Astroscale Japan and Bellatrix Aerospace, an Indian space-tech company specialising in propulsion, have signed an MoU. The agreement addresses opportunities for the Indian space industry, including active debris removal, satellite servicing and sustainable in-orbit mobility. The companies also noted their intent to leverage each other’s knowledge to create better synergies across the Indian and Japanese space sectors.
AUSTRALASIA
Extraterrestrial Power unveils its space-grade solar cell
Sydney-based Extraterrestrial Power has produced a space-grade solar cell thin enough to be mass-produced like terrestrial solar cells, while retaining the necessary qualities to survive in space. The company estimates this is ten times cheaper than current space solar cells. This technology’s development has received support from the Australian Space Agency. Read more about Extraterrestrial Power’s progress
EUROPE
ESA releases space debris short documentary
The European Space Agency (ESA) premiered their short documentary “Space Debris: Is it a Crisis?” at the 9th European Conference on Space Debris on 1 April 2025. The documentary discusses both the current situation and future potential threats posed by space debris. It also highlights methods of improving space sustainability.
ESA Strategy 2040 published
ESA recently released their strategy to approach challenges and opportunities up to 2040. The strategy has five goals: protect our planet and climate; explore and discover; strengthen European autonomy and resilience; boost growth and competitiveness; and inspire Europe. The first goal highlights the need for sustainability and planetary defence, with objectives tackling climate change, space debris, and asteroid collision risk. Read more about ESA Strategy 2040
ESPI’s new sustainability centre
The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) inaugurated its Centre for Sustainability and Resilience (CSR) on 27 March 2025. The Centre was supported by Austria’s Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, and will drive engagement within and beyond the space sector on space sustainability and space environment safety challenges.
OKAPI:Orbits secures ESA master contract
OKAPI:Orbits, in collaboration with the Institute of Space Systems from Technische Universität Braunschweig, will develop the next iteration of ESA’s Space Objects Population Model (MASTER). The model is critical for ESA’s Zero Debris initiative, serving as a reference for the space debris environment, including both new and historical data.
UNITED KINGDOM
Astroscale UK and BAE Systems collaborate to promote a circular space economy
Astroscale and BAE Systems recently completed a six-month feasibility study to develop an In-orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS). The two companies will collaborate under ESA’s Systems Studies for a Circular Economy in Space. The collaboration aims to advance the transition to a circular space economy and support UK’s ambitions for In-orbit Servicing, Assembling, and Manufacturing.
UNITED STATES
Astroscale U.S. to conduct the first refuelling of a United States Space Force (USSF) satellite
Astroscale U.S. will conduct two refuelling operations of a U.S Department of Defense (DoD) satellite in geostationary orbit for the USSF. Astroscale U.S.’s Refueller aims to launch in the summer of 2026. The Refueller would be the first spacecraft to conduct hydrazine refuelling operations above GEO, as well as being the first-ever refuelling mission supporting a DoD asset.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- The NewSpace Africa Conference takes place on 21–24 April 2025 in Cairo, Egypt.
- The 9th International Academy of Astronautics Planetary Defence Conference (PDC) will occur on 5-9 May 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. Learn more and register
- Heriot-Watt University will host the third annual Niparo Summit on Space Sustainability on 21-22 May 2025. Register for free tickets
- UNOOSA - UNEP Outer Space Expert Workshop taking place, on 22-23 May 2025 in Vienna, Austria
- Montréal, Canada will host the 18th biennial International Conference on Space Operations on 26-30 May 2025. This year’s theme is “Towards Space Sustainability”.
- This year, EU Space Days will take place in Gdańsk, Poland on 27-28 May 2025. Register here
- The UK In-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) Conference will be held on 4-6 June 2025 at the ICC Belfast, Northern Ireland.