TransAstra Awarded $850,000 Contract by NASA to Develop Flytrap Capture Bags for Space Debris Cleanup
Space debris has become a growing concern as humans continue to venture into space. With over 330 million pieces of space junk currently orbiting Earth, the risk to satellites, spaceships, and astronauts’ lives is increasing. To address this problem, NASA has awarded TransAstra an $850,000 contract to explore the concept of using giant “capture bags” called Flytrap to clean up space debris.
Joel C. Sercel, the founder and CEO of TransAstra, spoke about the dangers of space junk, citing a recent incident where a piece of debris struck an astronaut’s window during a space flight. Had the debris been larger, it could have caused catastrophic damage to the shuttle and the crew. Sercel emphasized that space junk poses one of the greatest perils to astronauts in low Earth orbit.
TransAstra initially developed Flytrap capture bags for the purpose of capturing asteroids that could be mined for rare elements in the future. However, as they delved deeper into asteroid mining, they realized the potential of their technology in cleaning up orbital debris.
The plan is for small spacecraft equipped with Flytrap bags to fly alongside space junk in low Earth orbit. Once in position, the bags will be deployed and sealed around the space junk, securely enclosing it. To ensure durability, TransAstra is testing different materials, including Kevlar, known for its strength in space applications.
Unlike other proposed methods of space junk cleanup that are often limited to specific types of debris, TransAstra’s Flytrap bags can capture anything that fits inside them. Sercel stated that they have the capacity to build Flytraps of various sizes, from those that can capture objects the size of a watermelon to those capable of containing items weighing 1,000 tons.
While TransAstra is pioneering this concept, they are not alone in their mission. The European Space Agency is also planning a similar endeavor called ClearSpace-1, set to launch in 2026. However, TransAstra’s Flytrap technology could be utilized in space within the next two years.
One of the main challenges faced by TransAstra and other companies working on space debris cleanup is the high cost of fuel. Capturing a significant amount of debris requires a considerable amount of fuel, even when the items are relatively close together. This cost factor presents an engineering challenge that needs to be addressed in order to make space junk cleanup financially feasible.
To make the process more affordable, one solution could be recycling the captured space debris to build satellites and other objects in orbit. Sercel suggested that repurposing the debris would not only offset costs but also contribute to sustainability in space. Dave Barnhart, CEO of Arkisys Inc, also expressed optimism about the prospect of recycling in space within the next five to 10 years.
As the space industry continues to expand, the importance of addressing space debris will become even more critical. Sercel emphasized the need for responsible space exploration and the importance of not leaving trash behind, stating that “being a good celestial citizen” involves thinking ahead about debris management.
TransAstra is now set to build a full-sized prototype to fulfill the NASA contract, aiming to prove the engineering feasibility of their Flytrap capture bags. With continued innovation and collaboration, the goal of achieving a cleaner and safer space environment may soon become a reality.