Space Debris Removal Market Report 2026

The space debris removal market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $0.15 billion in 2025 to $0.2 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising number of defunct satellites and spent rocket stages increasing collision risks, early development and adoption of orbital debris tracking and monitoring systems, government initiatives promoting space sustainability and debris mitigation, technological advancements in active debris removal (ADR) methods, growing awareness of the economic and operational risks posed by space debris.

The space debris removal market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $0.75 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing deployment of space TUGs and servicing vehicles for debris removal, integration of ai and machine learning for precise debris identification and collision prediction, rising investments in end-of-life satellite services and deorbiting modules, expansion of international collaboration for coordinated space debris management, development of cost-effective and scalable adr technologies for commercial and governmental use. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in orbital debris tracking and monitoring systems, emergence of active debris removal (adr) technologies, growth of space traffic management services, development of end-of-life satellite deorbiting solutions, integration of multi-technique debris removal operations.

The increasing number of satellite launches is expected to propel the growth of the space debris removal market going forward. Satellite launches involve deploying artificial satellites into space using rockets or launch vehicles for various purposes, including communication, Earth observation, and scientific research. The rise in satellite launches is fueled by growing demand for global connectivity, Earth observation, scientific exploration, and commercial applications, supported by technological advancements, reduced costs, and expanding interest in space exploration. The rapid increase in satellites heightens the risk of collisions with space debris, creating a strong need for space debris removal services to ensure the long-term sustainability of space operations. For instance, in June 2024, according to the Satellite Industry Association, a US-based organization, the commercial satellite industry experienced record growth in 2023, launching 2,781 satellites - a 20% increase from 2022. The space sector also reached a historic milestone with 190 total launches, the highest ever recorded. By the end of the year, the number of operational satellites climbed to 9,691, marking a 361% increase over the past five years. Therefore, the increasing number of satellite launches is driving the growth of the space debris removal market.

Key players in the space debris removal market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as commercial debris inspection demonstration satellites, to enhance space situational awareness and promote sustainable space operations. These solutions aim to demonstrate advanced technologies for monitoring and managing space debris, thereby contributing to space sustainability and creating safer orbital environments. For instance, in February 2024, Astroscale Japan Inc., a Japan-based aerospace company, launched the world's first active debris removal mission, ADRAS-J. This mission aims to safely approach, characterize, and survey an existing large debris piece using rendezvous and proximity operations, targeting a Japanese H2A upper-stage rocket body. By showcasing challenging RPO capabilities crucial for on-orbit services, such as proximity operations, image capture, and structural condition assessment, this mission highlights the potential for innovative space debris management solutions.

In September 2023, Bordeaux Airport, an international airport in France, partnered with Dark for the company’s operations site in Mérignac. This collaboration will establish a "Site B" facility dedicated to research and development, production, maintenance, and space operations focused on space debris removal. Dark is developing an advanced system known as Interceptor, aimed at providing a rapid response to debris threats in low Earth orbit. The partnership is anticipated to create approximately 500 jobs and aligns with Bordeaux Airport’s strategy to attract pioneering companies in the NewSpace sector. Dark is a space company based in France.

Major companies operating in the space debris removal market are Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Rocket Lab Limited, Astroscale Holdings Inc., Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, BlackSky Global LLC, Rogue Space Systems Corporation, D-Orbit S.p.A., ClearSpace SA, LeoLabs Inc., Metrolaser Inc., Skyrora Limited, Skycorp Inc., NorthStar Earth & Space Inc., Busek Co. Inc., TRL11 Limited, OrbitGuardians Inc., Obruta Space Solutions Inc., Space Logistics LLC, Altius Space Machines Inc.

Europe was the largest region in the space debris removal market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the space debris removal market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on satellite components, robotics, deorbiting modules, and specialized sensors are increasing production costs and delaying deployment of space debris removal systems, particularly affecting hardware-heavy segments such as space tugs, robotic arms, and tracking systems. North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions with significant space activity are most impacted. On the positive side, tariffs are driving investments in domestic manufacturing, boosting innovation in cost-efficient debris removal technologies and promoting local supply chain resilience.

The space debris removal research report is one of a series of new reports that provides space debris removal market statistics, including the space debris removal industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with an space debris removal market share, detailed space debris removal market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the space debris removal industry. This space debris removal market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Space debris removal is a crucial process involving the active elimination of defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and other non-functional objects from Earth's orbit. This aims to address the escalating problem of space debris and diminish the risk of collisions in space. The primary goal of space debris removal is to contain the proliferation of space debris and prevent collisions that could generate additional debris, posing a significant threat to space exploration and satellite operations.

The primary categories of debris size in space debris removal are 1 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 100 mm, and greater than 100 mm. Debris ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm poses a threat to satellites and spacecraft due to their potential for collisions and damage in space debris management. Techniques are classified as direct debris removal and indirect debris removal, considering operation types such as single technique and multiple techniques in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO). End users of these techniques include both commercial and government entities.

The countries covered in the space debris removal market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The space debris removal market consists of revenues earned by entities providing services such as space debris removal services encompass orbital debris tracking and monitoring, collision avoidance assistance, active debris removal (ADR) technologies, end-of-life satellite services, debris mitigation strategies, space traffic management. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The space debris removal market also includes sales of debris tracking systems, deorbiting modules, debris identification and characterization tools and space tugs and servicing vehicles. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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