Space Machines Teams Up with UK’s Lunasa to Address Space Debris

Space Machines Company, an Australian-Indian pioneer in in-space servicing, has announced a strategic partnership with UK-based technology developer Lunasa. This collaboration, a key achievement under the UK-Australia Space Bridge Arrangement, focuses on advancing technologies to combat the growing problem of space debris.

Central to this effort is Lunasa’s StarLogic Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) payload, which will be integrated into Space Machines’ Optimus orbital servicing vehicle (OSV). The partnership will demonstrate how autonomous systems can interact with and manage orbital debris, ensuring safer and more sustainable space operations.

“The ability to address space debris is critical for the future of space infrastructure,” said Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company. He emphasised how the collaboration with Lunasa aligns with Australia’s increasing role in the global space economy and the broader goals of sustainable space exploration.

Advanced Technologies to Support a Sustainable Future

The StarLogic payload, a key feature of the partnership, will perform autonomous imaging and interactions with orbital objects, including debris, at distances ranging from one to twenty kilometres. Equipped with capabilities like real-time operations, target detection, and precise orbital calculations, this system is designed to advance how spacecraft operate and interact in orbit.

These technologies will be put to the test as part of the Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research, and Innovation) mission in 2026. The mission will see the Optimus OSV launched on NewSpace India Limited’s (NSIL) advanced Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), supported by an $8.5 million investment from the Australian Government through the International Space Investment India Projects program.

Lunasa CEO Amin Chabi highlighted the importance of this mission, noting that it demonstrates the potential of innovative partnerships. “Collaborating with Space Machines Company enables us to showcase cutting-edge RPO and satellite servicing technologies,” he said. “It’s a significant step towards building efficient and sustainable satellite services while unlocking opportunities for international cooperation.”

A Global Effort to Protect the Space Environment

The partnership reflects a growing recognition of the need for international collaboration in space sustainability. Over the next two years, teams from both companies will integrate and test the StarLogic payload in Australia before shipping the completed spacecraft to India for launch.

Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, praised the partnership as a showcase of innovation in both the UK and Australian space sectors. He described the StarLogic demonstration as a crucial step in paving the way for future sustainable operations and protecting the space environment for generations to come.

Enrico Palermo, Head of the Australian Space Agency, also stressed the importance of global partnerships, stating that initiatives like Space MAITRI highlight how government investment can spark meaningful collaboration. “Space is a truly global endeavour,” he said, adding that such missions demonstrate how partnerships can drive innovation and deliver real benefits for communities on Earth.