Two Companies Team Up to Clear Space Junk by 2027

Cleaning up space is about to become a regular service, just like taking out the trash on Earth.

Portal Space Systems and Paladin Space announced a partnership on March 19 to launch the first commercial Debris Removal as a Service (DRAAS) by 2027. Instead of one-off experimental missions, they're building a repeatable system that can tackle multiple pieces of space junk in a single trip.

The numbers make it clear why this matters. Nearly 130 million pieces of debris currently orbit Earth, from tiny fragments to abandoned spacecraft and rocket stages. Every piece threatens the satellites that power our phones, GPS, weather forecasts, and national security systems.

Portal's Starburst spacecraft will provide the maneuverable, refuelable platform. Paladin's Triton payload will handle the tricky work of imaging, classifying, and capturing tumbling debris objects under three feet in size. Together, they can remove dozens of these dangerous objects per mission.

"This is about making debris removal operational, not experimental," said Jeff Thornburg, CEO of Portal Space Systems. The approach fundamentally changes the economics of keeping space safe.

Harrison Box, CEO of Paladin Space, explained that most collision avoidance happens because of small debris. Triton targets exactly those pieces, providing the greatest benefit to satellite operators who constantly maneuver around threats.

The Ripple Effect

The partnership has already attracted serious interest. Starlab Space signed a letter of intent to integrate the service into future space station operations, showing confidence in the technology before it even launches.

Portal raised $50 million in Series A funding in early April to accelerate development. The company plans to send Starburst-1 into orbit in late 2026 on SpaceX's Transporter-18 rideshare mission, with commercial debris removal services starting in 2027.

Other companies have proven that capturing space debris works. But Portal and Paladin are taking the critical next step from proving concepts to providing ongoing service. Their approach treats orbital debris like any other infrastructure problem that requires regular maintenance.

The satellites circling overhead enable modern life in countless invisible ways. Now we're finally building the tools to protect them.