Portal Space Systems and Paladin Space partner on orbital debris removal service
Updated
Updated · Space.com · May 5
Portal Space Systems and Paladin Space partner on orbital debris removal service
7 articles · Updated · Space.com · May 5
The US and Australian companies target 2027 commercial missions in low Earth orbit, using Portal's refuelable Starburst spacecraft and Paladin's Triton system to capture debris under 1 metre.
They say the service could remove dozens of tumbling objects in one mission, lowering cleanup costs; Starlab Space has signed a letter of intent for future station operations.
The venture addresses an estimated 130 million debris pieces in orbit. Portal plans a late-2026 Starburst-1 launch on SpaceX Transporter-18 and recently raised $50 million to advance development.
Could space junk removal tech be repurposed as a weapon, turning cleanup missions into a new orbital threat?
While services target small debris, who will tackle the massive dead satellites that threaten a catastrophic chain reaction in orbit?
How Portal Space and Paladin Space Plan to Remove Dozens of Tumbling Debris Objects Per Mission by 2027
Overview
In 2026, Portal Space Systems and Paladin Space partnered to launch the first commercial Debris Removal as a Service (DRAAS) by 2027, targeting the crowded Low-Earth Orbit. Portal's Starburst spacecraft, with high maneuverability, and Paladin's Triton payload, capable of capturing multiple tumbling debris, form a reusable system that changes the economics of debris cleanup. Early market interest, like Starlab Space's commitment, highlights demand. DRAAS aims to reduce costly collision risks and extend satellite lifetimes, addressing a debris problem projected to cost billions. Despite regulatory and technical challenges, significant funding and plans to scale manufacturing support expansion, including future operations in higher orbits with the Supernova spacecraft.