INCJ leads $35m investment in Singapore's Astroscale

The INCJ component of the Astroscale investment is for up to $30 million, while the remaining $5 million will be contributed by Jafco other third-party investors.

According to a statement, the capital will be used to advance development and testing of propulsion systems, an adhesive-based docking system as well as technologies related to space debris removal and end-of-life operations for spacecraft.

Successful demonstration of these projects is expected to allow Astroscale to provide practical and scalable business solutions for global satellite operators. The company will carry out an in-orbit demonstration of active debris removal in the first half of 2018.

The rapid expansion of space debris congestion in low earth orbit has emerged as a credible threat to satellite missions. The continued increase in satellite traffic is expected to exacerbate the collisions and breakups that create further space debris.

INCJ has the capacity to invest up to JPY2 trillion ($17.5 billion) under its remit to promote next-generation businesses in Japan.

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• Topics
• North Asia
• Technology
• Investments
• Expansion
• Japan
• Innovation Network Corp. of Japan (INCJ)
• JAFCO
• Growth capital