Orbit Recycling

About Orbit Recycling

Orbit Recycling is a German company based in Hauneck (Hesse) that specialises in the recycling of space debris. The concept envisages recovering space debris from orbit and transporting it to the Moon, where it is recycled. According to the company, more than 150 tonnes of aluminium can be reclaimed from retired European upper stages alone (e.g. Ariane 5). Large parts of an International Lunar Ground Station are to be built from this material, for example walls, power lines and heat storage systems. Since the debris is already captured in orbit, small propulsion units are sufficient for transport to the Moon, which are to be launched cost-effectively with European rockets. Orbit Recycling is active in a network with universities (including TU Braunschweig, TU Berlin, University of Stuttgart), aerospace companies and ESA projects such as a study on space debris recycling as well as the INNOspace Masters 2021 competition.

Site

Hauneck

Processes

Recycling of space debris (Space Debris Removal), Transport of space debris to the Moon, Aluminium reclamation (e.g. from Ariane 5 upper stages), Components for the lunar station (walls, power lines, heat storage systems)

Materials

Aluminium

Certificates

ISO 9001

Industries

Aerospace, Space debris disposal, In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), Satellite operations

1. 01

   Recovery of space debris from orbit

2. 02

   Transport to the Moon with small propulsion units

3. 03

   Recycling on the Moon

4. 04

   Reclamation of aluminium

5. 05

   Further use for components of the lunar station (walls, power lines,

Materials and Processes

Locations

Quality

No information on quality assurance or certifications is available.

History

1. 2021

   Participation in and reference in the INNOspace Masters competition; ESA study on space debris recycling